International 03 Jun, 2026

How Iran uses billboards as wartime propaganda – we selected 5 to explain what they mean

Business To Business, New Delhi, 3^rd June, 2026:  The billboards that have appeared across Tehran since the outbreak of the US–Israel–Iran conflict illustrate how public visual culture has become an important component of Iran's political messaging strategy.
Historically, Iran has used murals, posters, and billboards to communicate state ideology. Following the Iranian Revolution and during the Iran–Iraq War, public spaces were filled with images of revolutionary leaders, martyrs, and patriotic themes intended to mobilize public support and reinforce national identity.
A dual audience: domestic and international
Today's billboards serve two interconnected purposes:
1. Domestic communication

• Reinforce national unity during wartime.
• Project resilience and defiance against foreign adversaries.
• Commemorate military personnel, casualties, and acts portrayed as resistance.
• Shape public understanding of current events through official narratives.

2. Global digital communication

• Billboards are now designed with the expectation that photographs will circulate online through news outlets and social media platforms.
• Striking imagery, concise slogans, and symbolic references make them easily shareable.
• They allow Iranian authorities to communicate directly to international audiences without relying solely on traditional diplomatic channels.

Common themes and symbols
Many recent Tehran billboards reportedly feature:

• Images of missiles, drones, or military hardware to signal deterrence.
• National and religious symbolism, including the Iranian flag and Islamic motifs.
• References to resistance against the United States and Israel.
• Visual comparisons between Iran and its adversaries.
• Messages emphasizing sacrifice, sovereignty, and national pride.

These visual campaigns often combine political messaging with emotional appeals, seeking to strengthen public morale while demonstrating resolve to external audiences.
The changing role of public propaganda
What distinguishes contemporary Iranian billboards from those of previous decades is their integration into the digital information environment. A billboard erected in a Tehran square can quickly become a global media image, appearing on television broadcasts, news websites, and social media feeds within hours.
As a result, the billboards function not merely as local advertisements or political posters but as a form of strategic communication. They are designed simultaneously for people walking through Tehran and for viewers around the world encountering the images online.
In that sense, Tehran's billboards have evolved into a hybrid medium—part public art, part political propaganda, and part digital-age messaging tool—reflecting how modern conflicts are fought not only on battlefields but also in the contest to shape public perception and international narratives.