In Tehran, large government-backed billboards featuring provocative imagery of U.S. President Donald Trump and American military equipment have become a prominent form of political messaging amid escalating tensions between Iran, the United States, and Israel. These visual displays, created by Khaneh-ye Tarrahan (Designers’ House), a state-run media studio, are installed in high-traffic locations such as Valiasr Square, offering a daily and vivid chronicle of the ongoing conflict.
The billboards depict a range of symbolic scenes, including one showing Trump’s lips sewn shut with his mouth muzzled by the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime corridor central to the confrontation. Accompanying the image are the words "At the breaking point," underscoring the strained relations following the outbreak of hostilities in late February. Another striking design features an Iranian soldier stepping on a U.S. underwater drone, referencing a recent capture by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, with the phrase “business is good” emblazoned alongside.
Mostafa Kafaei, 32, who manages the Khaneh-ye Tarrahan studio, explained that the team works quickly to respond to unfolding events, often turning around urgent posters within days. The studio employs contemporary digital tools, including Photoshop and various artificial intelligence software such as ChatGPT, to develop its designs. “Speed has become a top priority,” Kafaei said, noting their ability to adapt rapidly to news developments.
Other billboards display Trump in a magician’s box, clutching symbols of American culture like a Coca-Cola bottle and a hamburger, referencing a July incident in Turkey when Trump was discreetly transferred between aircraft due to a security threat. The billboard’s caption, “Blink, you’re gone!”, evokes a sense of sudden withdrawal or defeat.
The state-sponsored campaign extends beyond criticism of the United States to emphasize Iranian resilience and honor significant figures linked to the conflict. Posters glorifying Iran, its former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei—killed early in the war—and allies such as Hezbollah’s late leader Hassan Nasrallah have appeared throughout the city. Kafaei said this approach helps inform citizens, including those who may not be politically engaged, about the broader context of the ongoing conflict.
Public reactions to the billboards vary. Mahmoudreza Rezaei, 53, described one billboard referencing “Satan’s wedding gift,” widely interpreted as a critique of a recent U.S. attack on a southern Iranian wedding, as thought-provoking and somewhat enigmatic. Meanwhile, 24-year-old Sahar Jahdei remarked that such billboards serve an important role in public communication, particularly for those focused on day-to-day survival who may not follow news coverage closely.
The imagery reflects the heightened state of conflict in the region, where Iran has imposed a blockade on commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz in response to U.S. and Israeli strikes, while the U.S. maintains countermeasures against Iranian ports. Through its visual campaign, the Iranian government seeks to maintain public morale and project defiance amid a protracted and complex standoff.