Tehran (EFE).- Thousands of Iranians participated in rallies on Wednesday in support of Mojtaba Khamenei, the supreme leader who has not appeared in public since his appointment amid messages from the United States expressing doubt about his leadership of the Islamic Republic.
In Tehran’s Enghelab Square, there were many flags and posters featuring Mojtaba and his assassinated father and predecessor, Ali Khamenei. The atmosphere was festive, with concerts, juggling, children’s games, and Quran readings.
At some stands, people threw darts at portraits of US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and trampled on their countries’ flags.
These events coincide with the anniversary of the birth of Imam Reza, the eighth imam of Shi’ism and the only imam buried on Iranian soil, in the northeastern city of Mashhad.
His birth is celebrated every year in the Islamic Republic, but usually in Mashhad with smaller events.
The large-scale celebration in 2026, which focused on loyalty to Mojtaba, follows Trump’s claims that there is confusion about who is in charge in Iran and that there are divisions among its leaders, which created difficulties in negotiations between the two countries.
Mojtaba was appointed supreme leader on Mar. 8, following his father’s assassination by the US and Israel. Nearly two months have passed, and he has not been seen or heard from.
Nevertheless, many Iranians are eager to declare their loyalty to the new 56-year-old leader.
«I am here to declare my loyalty to the supreme leader and ensure that we will continue to support him and the Islamic system, following his guidelines to the letter,» said Yavad, a 34-year-old mechanical engineer, to EFE during the march in Tehran.
The young man affirmed that the country will not be defeated if it remains united and avoids divisions. He also supported the continuation of negotiations with the US, halted due to Tehran’s refusal to talk in the face of the US naval blockade.
Masumeh, a 54-year-old housewife, considers that Wednesday’s celebrations are an act of loyalty to Mojtaba and a commemoration of the war that began on Feb. 28 and ended with a ceasefire on Apr. 8, instigated by the US and Israel.
She does not support negotiations as she considers that Trump will not honor political commitments and will violate any potential agreement.
According to media outlets in the US and Iran, Tehran has proposed that negotiations initially focus on reopening the Strait of Hormuz, which is blocked by both sides, and on closing a peace agreement. After that, they would study the Iranian nuclear program.
Government sources told US media that Trump did not like the plan, and the two sides continue to struggle in the Strait.EFE
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