Murals and slogans denouncing the U.S. and Israel have appeared on the walls of Tehran’s Enqelab Square [1, 2].
These displays serve as a public manifestation of resistance and loyalty to the Iranian leadership during a period of heightened geopolitical tension. The art reflects the state's official narrative regarding foreign interference and the perceived aggression of Western powers.
The murals, located in the city's Revolution Square, include imagery and text expressing love for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei [1, 2]. These installations are designed to demonstrate public support for the supreme leader and the ideological foundations of the Islamic Republic.
According to reports, this activity has been observed since the outbreak of the U.S.–Israeli conflict with Iran, which was reported in June 2024 [2]. The murals act as a visual extension of the protests against the U.S. and Israel, transforming public infrastructure into a canvas for political messaging.
By centering the imagery on Enqelab Square, the muralists utilize a historically significant location for Iranian political expression. The slogans accompanying the portraits of Khamenei frame the current conflict as a struggle for national sovereignty, and religious identity [2].
The coordination of these murals suggests a focused effort to project unity and defiance. The imagery focuses on themes of martyrdom and resistance, aligning with the official rhetoric used by the Iranian government to mobilize public sentiment against external adversaries [1, 2].
“Murals and slogans denouncing the United States and Israel have appeared on the walls of Tehran’s Enqelab Square.”
The use of public art in Enqelab Square indicates a strategic effort by the Iranian state and its supporters to maintain domestic morale and ideological cohesion. By linking the current conflict with the leadership of Ayatollah Khamenei, the government reinforces a narrative of 'popular resistance' to justify its foreign policy and consolidate internal loyalty against external pressure from the U.S. and Israel.
