Iran leaders make public appearance at pro‑government rallies in Tehran
President Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Araghchi join crowds despite ongoing war pressures and threats from Israel and US
TEHRAN, Iran (MNTV) — Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi joined hundreds of pro‑government demonstrators in Tehran in a highly visible show of unity and defiance amid escalating military pressure from Israel and the United States.
The rallies, held on International Quds Day — an annual event marking support for the Palestinian cause — drew large crowds chanting slogans against the US and Israel, waving flags and calling for national resilience.
Despite repeated warnings from Israeli authorities about potential strikes near the demonstration sites, senior Iranian officials remained in public view, reinforcing the government’s message of steadfast resolve.
Footage and reports from state and international media showed Pezeshkian and Araghchi walking among participants in central Tehran, with the president mingling without heavy security and the foreign minister addressing supporters.
Their presence underscored a deliberate effort by Iran’s leadership to project confidence in the face of external threats and internal anxieties.
The sharply choreographed rallies occur in the context of a broader regional war that erupted following February’s military initiative involving US and Israeli strikes on Iranian targets.
The conflict has killed hundreds and disrupted vital infrastructure, including the strategic Strait of Hormuz, substantially impacting global oil markets.
Iran’s supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, remains largely absent from public view following an attack on February 28 that killed his predecessor, Ayatollah Khamenei, and reportedly injured him.
Nevertheless, hard‑line elements of the government have framed the demonstrations as a rejection of foreign interference and a reaffirmation of national sovereignty.
While the Tehran rallies focused primarily on solidarity with the regime and its defense policies, Iran has also faced significant civil unrest linked to economic grievances and wider dissatisfaction.
Earlier nationwide protests over living standards and political restrictions triggered a severe government crackdown in January, leading to dozens of deaths and widespread international concern over human rights abuses.
Tehran’s strategy in bringing top officials into the public sphere now appears aimed at reinforcing the legitimacy of state authority and discouraging both domestic dissent and foreign adventurism.
Critics, however, argue that such public appearances risk exposing leaders to heightened security threats during a period of intense military engagement.
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