Pop singer Katy Perry has expressed strong disapproval after her song "Firework" was used without authorization in a TikTok video related to recent U.S. military strikes in Iran. The footage, posted on the White House’s official TikTok account, depicted the strikes alongside the caption “Iran has been warned” and has garnered over six million views.

In a statement posted on her social media platform X, Perry said she was "deeply appalled and angry" about the use of her song and emphasized that she neither approved nor condoned its association with the military action. "Firework," a 2010 hit, is widely recognized as an anthem of personal empowerment and feminism, making its context in military imagery a stark contrast to its original message.

The TikTok video in question accompanied footage of U.S. missile strikes targeting a naval docking facility in Iran, in what was reported as a $2.6 million operation. The strikes represent part of ongoing tensions between the United States and Iran amidst a complex geopolitical backdrop.

Observers note the incongruity of pairing a pop empowerment anthem with scenes of military aggression, raising questions about the strategic intent behind the choice. Some interpret the use as a modern psychological tactic aimed at framing the strikes with a tone that resonates with younger or broader social media audiences, although the reasoning remains unclear.

There has been no official response from the White House regarding Perry’s condemnation or clarification on the decision to use the song in the video. The incident highlights ongoing conversations about the use of popular culture in political and military messaging, as well as the challenges content creators face in controlling the use of their intellectual property in rapidly evolving media environments.