Tehran Responds To Israeli Attack With Revenge Billboards

An anti-Israel banner with pictures of senior Israeli commanders in a street in Tehran, Iran, April 2, 2024
An anti-Israel banner with pictures of senior Israeli commanders in a street in Tehran, Iran, April 2, 2024

In the aftermath of Israel's attack on the Iranian consulate in Damascus, billboards bearing the slogan "We Take Revenge" in both Hebrew and English have sprung up across the Iranian capital.

According to reports from the Iranian Students' News Agency (ISNA), the billboards, featuring images of Israeli military leaders, were placed in front of ten foreign embassies in Tehran, including those of Switzerland, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, France, Turkey, the UK, Germany, Azerbaijan, India, and Russia.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on Tuesday vowed to "punish" Israel for the attack, which resulted in the deaths of seven IRGC members, including two generals. The sentiment was echoed by other senior Iranian officials, including President Ebrahim Raisi and Parliament Speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf, who all promised “severe” repercussions.

The recent bombing marks a significant escalation in the ongoing hostilities between Iran and Israel, which began with an invasion by Iran-backed Hamas militia group that resulted in over 1,200 mostly civilian deaths and 250 hostages.

Iran's authorities in February unveiled a mural in Tehran's Palestine Square, featuring threats directed at its archenemy, Israel.

The mural, adorned with images of missiles and phrases in Persian and Hebrew, sent a message: "We are stronger and more determined than ever", amidst a proxy war which since October has seen Iran's militias across the region launch attacks on both Israel and its ally, the US.

It followed a similar display in January, accompanied by a warning of a "severe response", referring to the bombardment of Gaza. Just hours after the October 7 atrocities, posters also adorned public squares in Iran in celebration of the attacks.

Despite the regime's persistent anti-Western and anti-Israeli rhetoric, there are signs that support for such propaganda among Iranians is dwindling. Many Iranians now express opposition to the government's stance, indicating a growing disillusionment with the regime's policies and priorities.