Tehran, July 7 -- Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamanei made his first public appearance in the country yesterday, post Tehran's 12-day war with Israel. The appearance got a mixed reception, with the state media and political leaders backing it, though it was reportedly dismissed or slammed by several, both within the country and outside it.
According to Iran International, Former Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif heaped praise on the leader who had not been seen in public since June 10 before his reappearance at a religious ceremony on the night of July 5.
"The fearless presence of Ali Khamenei in a traditional public gathering permanently shattered the delusional lies that paid pundits have been pushing. Time to wake up ...