An image of a billboard bearing threats to US President Donald Trump (Image source: Iran International)
Images of a new billboard in Tehran’s Vali al-Asr Square have escalated Iran’s public threat campaign. The billboard shows the name of recently deceased US Senator Lindsey Graham accompanied by what appears to be a subtle reference to threats to assassinate US President Donald Trump.The painting, controlled by the Awj Arts and Media Organization linked to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, shows an unusual large writing of the letters “D” and “T” in its English slogan, “Who is the next D?”, and appears to allude to Trump.The state-run Islamic Republic News Agency said the billboard was installed after Graham’s death, describing him as one of the most anti-Iranian politicians in the United States.Conservative voices in Iran have portrayed Graham’s death as divine punishment for what they see as his continued pursuit of war against the country.
Threats escalate amid calls for revenge
Lindsey Graham died on July 11 after what his office described as a brief and sudden illness. He has become a prominent supporter of Iran’s opposition movement, calling for a “free Iran” at a rally in Munich and waving the country’s flag before the Islamic Republic.At the funeral of former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, mourners carried signs showing Trump, Graham, conservative commentator Ben Shapiro and activist Laura Loomer with a red mark on their faces and warnings including: “Sooner or later, your heads will roll.”
Mourners also offered a reward of $100 million to anyone who provides information that would help arrest Trump, and chanted demands for his death.A previous billboard in Tehran showed a picture of Trump alongside the slogan “We will kill Trump” in Persian and English. Trump warned that if Iran tried to assassinate him, the United States would respond with a “harsh and devastating” response.
