In Iran, the war is fought on billboards too

Huge billboards in Tehran depicting mocking imagery of US President Donald Trump and American drones being subdued by Iranian soldiers are becoming a visual record of the ongoing conflict between Iran, the US, and Israel. Exclusive access to the team behind these billboards revealed the intense effort that goes into producing them, which are seen by thousands of passersby each day, particularly in popular spots like Teheran's Valiasr Square.

The firm responsible for the billboards, known as Designers' House, is part of one of Iran's largest state-run media conglomerates and employs a media-monitoring team to keep track of the situation.

Mostafa Kafaei, the head of the studio and a 32-year-old graphic designer, explained that the process involves generating ideas, briefing designers, and collaborating to bring the final product to life. They make use of advanced AI tools like ChatGPT and Nano Banana to expedite the production process. One prominent billboard shows Trump's mouth sealed by the Strait of Hormuz, symbolizing the ongoing war, and the words "At the breaking point."

When informed about the images featuring Trump, Kafaei emphasized that the studio responds to Trump's actions, treating him like an adversary in a media battlefield.

The billboards showcase Iran's pride and support for its leaders, including former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who was killed at the beginning of the war, and allied figures like Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah. Kafaei noted that despite many Iranians not being politically engaged, these billboards serve as an effective way to convey the country's situation to those who might otherwise be uninformed.

Passersby like Mahmoudreza Rezaei, a 53-year-old retiree, and Sahar Jahedi, a 24-year-old pharmacy worker, both found the billboards intriguing, with Rezaei interpreting one message as a reference to Trump after an alleged US attack that killed civilians during a wedding ceremony.