TEHRAN, Iran – A week before the Iranian presidential elections, Academy Award-winner Sean Penn was spotted among members of the press at Namaze Jumeh – the Friday prayers where chants of ‘death to America’ are part of the weekly routine.

Mr. Penn, who made a visit to Iraq prior to the American invasion and is openly critical of President Bush’s policies in the Middle East, traveled again to the region. The press-shy Mr. Penn, who is known for his heated confrontations with paparazzi stateside, played the part of a journalist in Tehran. He appeared at public events wearing suits sans ties and mingled with members of the international press as he squatted to take notes in his work for the San Francisco Chronicle.

“I was really surprised to see him there,” a news photographer covering the Iranian elections for Reuters, Damir Sagolj, said. “Most people did not recognize him ’til I started shooting him.”

In Iran, word spread quickly about the 44-year-old actor’s presence. Photographers camped out at his hotel and chased him around the city.

The actor’s films are banned here, but those involved in Iran’s film world seem to have followed his career for years.

Mr. Penn was invited to the Iranian Museum of Film in northern Tehran for a tour on Monday. At least 25 photographers went along, and dozens of reporters were waiting when he arrived.

Wearing dark glasses, Mr. Penn was greeted by the museum’s directors and members of the film community. Despite being mobbed by the press, Mr. Penn documented everything he saw using a small digital camera during his tour of the museum.

A young fan rushed to ask for an autograph, saying, “We love you, Mr. Penn. Will you sign this for me?” The actor replied, “Sure, I mean, if you are the only one.”

The previous day, Mr. Penn had met and interviewed a former president and the front-runner in Friday’s election, Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani. Mr. Penn asked why so many candidates were barred from running in the presidential elections.

According to the Associated Press, Mr. Rafsanjani, who favors improving Iran’s relations with America, pointed out that Iran was fielding eight candidates for president, more choices than American voters had in November.