An Iranian photographer who was anonymously awarded a Pulitzer Prize in 1980 for capturing a chilling image of men before a firing squad was publicly honored yesterday at a ceremony for this year’s winners.

The identity of Jahangir Razmi was kept secret out of concern for his safety but revealed in December by The Wall Street Journal with the photographer’s permission.

“It’s a very nice and beautiful feeling,” Razmi said through an interpreter after the ceremony, at which he received a standing ovation, the only one during the program.

The photo depicted a row of 11 blindfolded men executed by a firing squad in 1979, winning the Pulitzer for Spot News Photography — the only time in Pulitzer history an anonymous award was given.

The mother and sister of two of the men in the photo were present for the ceremony. The Journal reporter who revealed Razmi’s identity, Joshua Prager, also attended.

Mr. Razmi was presented with a certificate and $10,000 in award money. The slender, salt and pepper-haired man did not address the gathering. As he was heading back to his table, Monir Nahid, who witnessed the execution of her sons Ahsan, 23 and Shahrivar, 20, tearfully embraced Mr. Razmi. Her daughter, Roya Nahid, sitting nearby, also cried openly. Both women are Kurds who now live in California’s Orange County.