'I Didn't Know India…': Ayatollah Khamenei's old tweets go viral amid Israel-Iran conflict

As the conflict between Israel and Iran continues, old social media posts of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, have resurfaced — and they’re nothing like people expected.

The 86-year-old leader, known for his hardline views, once posted about women’s rights, poetry, the Black Lives Matter movement, and even his childhood memories. Some of the tweets go back more than 10 years and show a much softer, more thoughtful side of Khamenei.

Tweets on Women and Love Advice
In a series of tweets focused on women, Khamenei expressed support for understanding women’s emotions. In one post, he wrote: "Man has a responsibility to understand #woman's needs and feelings and must not be neglectful toward her #emotional state."

Man has a responsibility to understand #woman’s needs and feelings and must not be neglectful toward her #emotional state

— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) September 15, 2013

Women are stronger than men. Women can completely control and influence men with their wisdom and delicacy. May 11, 2013

— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) March 7, 2018

This post quickly went viral. One user on X (formerly Twitter) jokingly replied, “I apologise, ayatollah khamenei, I was unfamiliar with your game.”

i apologize, ayatollah khamenei, i was unfamiliar with your game https://t.co/yXH72eQg94

— Sam 👁️ (@SamtheNightOwl) June 20, 2025

Another commented, “Born to be a lover, forced to be the supreme leader.”

Born to be a lover, forced to be the supreme leader https://t.co/HMWmPtF1iN

— Ahad|| (@yeagerexcelency) June 19, 2025

Childhood Memories

In a tweet from 2013, Khamenei shared a memory from his school days: “I went 2school w/a cloak since1st days; it was uncomfortable 2wear it in front f other kids, but I tried 2make up 4it by being naughty&playful.”

I went 2school w/a cloak since1st days;it was uncomfortable 2wear it in front f other kids,but I tried 2make up 4it by being naughty&playful

— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) September 24, 2013

I'm not into cinema and visual arts but when it comes to poetry and novels, I'm not just a typical audience. #Books #AvidReader

— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) February 25, 2015

The post showed a more personal and human side of a man often seen only through his political role.

Comments on India and Nehru’s Book
Khamenei even tweeted about reading India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru’s book, Glimpses of World History. He praised it for helping him understand India’s rich culture and history before British rule.

He wrote: “Before studying 'Glimpses of World History' by Mr. #Nehru I didn't know #India before colonization had undergone so many important #advances.”

Before studying "Glimpses of World History" by Mr. #Nehru I didn't know #India before colonization had undergone so many important #advances

— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) August 6, 2013

This book, a collection of letters Nehru wrote to his daughter Indira Gandhi, covers the history of civilizations from ancient to modern times. Khamenei’s interest in it shows his curiosity about global history and respect for India’s contributions before it became a British colony.

Online Reaction
The unusual nature of these posts shocked many users online. One user joked, “Ayatollah Khamenei is the first guy to be uncancelled after old tweets resurfaced.”

Timing of the Tweets’ Comeback
These posts have resurfaced at a tense time, as Khamenei remains firm in Iran’s stance against Israel and the United States. He recently warned that if the US gets involved in the Israel-Iran conflict, it will face “irreparable damage.”