An exclusive look into the informal Thursday sessions where Ayatollah Khamenei engages directly with Iran’s youth, artists, and scientific innovators, fostering an unprecedented environment of free speech and progress.
In the public eye, leadership often appears formal and distanced. However, a series of informal, friendly gatherings held since 2017—known as the “Thursday Meetings”—paints a remarkably different picture. These sessions bring together the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, and a diverse array of art, culture, and science activists for face-to-face dialogues.
Far from rigid political briefings, these gatherings are characterised by their intimacy. Participants sit in a small room, drinking tea, and engaging in unscripted conversations. As one filmmaker noted, the atmosphere is deliberately made so friendly that attendees feel completely comfortable speaking freely and voicing their critiques.
A Space for Candid Critique and Generational Shift
One of the most striking aspects of these sessions is the open floor given to the younger generation. In one meeting, a young volunteer public welfare activist respectfully but directly challenged the Leader on his recent appointments. The youth pointed out that while the first generation of the Revolution took charge in their youth, current leadership roles are often kept from the younger generation under the pretext that they lack experience.
Rather than dismissing the critique, the Leader embraced it. He acknowledged the necessity of a generational shift, stating unequivocally that “a young administration has to be formed”. He emphasised that the ultimate goal is for “pious youth” to step up and take on significant management responsibilities, moving beyond just mid-tiered roles to the highest levels of governance.
The License to Laugh: Defending Humour and Satire
The Thursday Meetings also shed light on the Leader’s perspective regarding media and humour. During a gathering with humorists and comedians, attendees openly wondered what subjects were “safe” for satire, noting that joking about almost anyone in society often leads to complaints or court summons.
In a surprising revelation, the Leader advocated for polite but boundary-pushing humour. He recounted an incident from years prior regarding the highly controversial satirical film, The Lizard (Marmoulak), directed by Kamal Tabrizi. When police and religious authorities protested the film, the Leader intervened, telling them they had no right to complain. Instead of protesting, he advised authorities to welcome the film with open arms, appreciating the mirror it held up to society. The Leader explicitly granted the humorists “a license” to make jokes, provided they remain polite and refrain from hostility or insulting the truth.
Breaking Monopolies Through Scientific Innovation
Beyond culture and critique, the meetings serve as a platform to highlight groundbreaking national achievements. In a gathering with technologists and scientific innovators, the focus shifted to Iran’s rapidly advancing medical and engineering sectors.
One standout presentation featured a remote surgery robot. The project manager explained that this technology significantly increases surgical precision—a one-centimeter movement by the surgeon translates to a precise one-millimeter movement by the surgical instrument. This innovation spares surgeons from standing in sterile gear for hours, preventing spinal and neck injuries. Most notably, this Iranian-made device successfully broke a 20-year production monopoly previously held exclusively by the United States, paving the way for the country to enter global markets.
Conclusion
The “Thursday Meetings” represent a vital, often unseen engine of Iran’s societal development. By sitting on the floor with poets, technologists, and young activists, the leadership ensures that the pulse of the nation—its frustrations, its humour, and its brilliance—is not just heard, but actively integrated into the future of the country.
