The New York Times faced strong criticism for its headline about Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who recently died, referring to him as a "hardline cleric who made Iran a regional power." [Photo=The New York Times]

The New York Times, a left-leaning American media outlet, is facing strong criticism for its reporting on the recent death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, using the phrase "a hardline cleric who made Iran a regional power."

On the 1st (local time), Fox News criticized the New York Times' "blasphemous remarks" in an article titled, "The New York Times reported on Ayatollah Khamenei as a 'hardline cleric' and a figure who made Iran a regional power."

According to the report, the New York Times published a headline on the 28th of last month stating, "Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has died at the age of 86. As the Supreme Leader of Iran, he was a kind and generous individual."

The New York Times also wrote, "Khamenei, with his long robes, black turban, and silver beard, described himself as a religious scholar, Islamic author, and translator," and "He was a person who ruled the country by acting kind and generous but also detached, and who stood above the daily political battles."

In response, various social media users criticized the New York Times' headline, pointing out, "Khamenei is responsible for the deaths of tens of thousands of people."

They also mocked the New York Times' double standard, stating, "The New York Times has previously reported on the reality of Khamenei's regime, which ordered the deaths of protesters who opposed the government in January and 2022."

Mark Thiessen, a columnist for The Washington Post, wrote on social media platform X regarding the New York Times' headline, "This cannot be serious." Jason Bedrick of The Heritage Foundation used the phrase, "The New York Times is garbage." Joe Concha, a Fox News contributor, used the phrase "Giving up..." to mean hopeless.

Mark Thiessen, a columnist for The Washington Post, wrote on social media platform X regarding the New York Times' headline, "This cannot be serious." [Photo=X]

The atmosphere in Iran is entirely festive. Many citizens are flooding the streets waving Iranian flags and celebrating Khamenei's death, creating a festival-like scene, and people around the world are also welcoming the death of a dictator.

Amidst the majority of Iranian citizens and people worldwide welcoming the death of a dictator, netizens are reacting with incomprehension to the New York Times' unusually favorable article about Khamenei.

Meanwhile, facing strong criticism, The New York Times claimed on X, "The Times' obituaries offer a full account of their lives and achievements. We cover the details of each person’s life and death fairly and accurately, and we do not write dishonest articles to win over readers, as you do."

Reporter Lim Yo-hee