The conflict in the Middle East, now in its second week, is being fought both in the battlefield and on the internet as the US and Iran combat in the ‘battle of perception’.
While US President Donald Trump, on several occasions, claimed clear victory over Iran, Tehran has in its own ways matched the onslaught from US with its own version of events.
Amid the ongoing war, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi made a rare public appearance on the streets of Tehran on Tuesday. A video, posted by Iran Consulate General in Mumbai, showed Araghchi attending a nighttime gathering on the eve of the Islamic Republic Day.
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The social media post quoted the Iranian minister as saying, “I’ve come to draw strength from your spirit.” He reportedly said he “came to enjoy this unity and popular cohesion, God.”
The video showed Pezeshkian moving among demonstrators and Araghchi walking alongside participants as crowds gathered to mark the anniversary of the Islamic Republic.
The video featuring Araghchi was notable as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had spoken of eliminating the senior leadership. It also seemed to counter Trump’s claim of growing unpopularity of the Iranian regime, weeks after unprecedented protests in January.
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Pezeshkian’s appearance at Tehran street comes after several top Iranian officials, including former Supreme Leader Khamenei, de facto leader Ali Larijani and several top military and intelligence officials have been killed in US and Israeli strikes.
The latest appearance of the top Iran leader comes two weeks after Iran President Masoud Pezeshkian and other top leaders joined a Quds Day rally in Tehran.
The rally of the Iranian President which was attended by hundreds of common citizens saw US-Israeli strikes nearby.
State TV showed Pezeshkian greeting supporters and posing for selfies on the rain-spattered streets at the annual rally in support of the Palestinian cause