The Digester
war

Iran leaders walk among Tehran crowds to show control amid war

President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi have mingled with supporters in central Tehran in a deliberate show of control after weeks of targeted strikes and an ongoing U.S.-Israeli campaign, officials and analysts say.

Apr 3rd 2026 · Iran

Insights

  • Senior Iranian officials have publicly mingled with crowds in central Tehran to project resilience and authority.
  • The appearances follow more than a month of targeted assassinations that began on Feb 28, according to the report.
  • Iran says a U.S.-Israeli campaign has been striking its leadership and Tehran has responded with attacks across the Gulf and pressure on the Strait of Hormuz.
  • New Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has not been seen in public since taking over on March 8.
  • Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi was removed from Israel's hit list amid March mediation efforts, but talks to end the war have since stalled.
  • Analysts say the public outings aim to sustain core support and raise the political and reputational cost of further strikes.
  • Rights groups report wartime crackdowns including arrests, executions, and large security deployments to deter dissent.
  • On April 1 U.S. President Donald Trump vowed more aggressive strikes and Tehran warned of broader retaliation.

Sources