Day 219 | Trump predicts victory against Iran around midterms

An 'Israeli' soldier was severely injured and an officer sustained moderate injuries following an operational accident in southern Lebanon over the weekend, the 'Israeli' military announced in an official statement.

According to 'Israeli' military authorities, the incident occurred during operational activities in the southern sector on Friday.

Both wounded were evacuated to a hospital for emergency medical treatment, and their families have been notified.

The 'Israeli' military statement confirmed that field units coordinated the immediate medical evacuation of the injured personnel to a medical center.

No further details regarding the specific technical nature or circumstances surrounding the operational accident were immediately released by 'Israeli' military officials.

• Tehran displays large-scale anti-US and anti-'Israel' billboards, mocking US President Trump and boasting of Iranian military strength.
• State-linked studio Designers' House turns around high-impact visuals in days using Photoshop alongside AI tools like ChatGPT and Nano Banana.
• Displays feature key conflict themes, including the Strait of Hormuz blockade, captured US drones, and pop-culture riffs.
• Local responses range from intrigue over complex visual riddles to recognizing the billboards as information tools amidst daily survival challenges.

Towering billboards depicting US President Donald Trump, muzzled world leaders, and American drones under the boot of Iranian soldiers have transformed the streets of Tehran into a visual chronicle of Iran's ongoing war with the United States and 'Israel', Agence France-Presse (AFP) reported after gaining rare access to the design studio behind the campaign.

The prominent displays -sponsored by the Iranian government and installed at high-traffic hubs such as Valiasr Square- are designed to broadcast political messaging directly to large daily crowds.

Among the prominent pieces created by Khaneh-ye Tarrahan (Designers' House) is a towering billboard showing Trump's lips sewn together and muzzled by a representation of the Strait of Hormuz, accompanied by the slogan "At the breaking point".

State-funded studio 

Studio manager Mostafa Kafaei, 32, told AFP that his team of up to eight graphic designers operates under a major state-run media conglomerate, mobilizing immediately as news breaks to conceptualize and execute posters within days.

"Speed has become a top priority," Kafaei explained to AFP, adding that his staff relies on Photoshop alongside advanced AI tools like ChatGPT and Nano Banana to accelerate production.

Kafaei compared the studio's role to a battlefield scenario, describing their output as a direct response to a media personality who continuously fires at them in the news sphere:

"He is a media personality... We respond in kind whenever he takes action in that space. We keep a close watch on our opponent and respond accordingly."

Satirical imagery 

The billboards feature varied artistic references reflecting the military standoff that began in late February following US-'Israeli' strikes on Iran.

The Magician's Box: One design from an external studio depicts Trump trapped inside a magician's box holding a Coca-Cola and a hamburger with the caption "Blink, you're gone!", a reference to an incident in Turkey where Trump was moved via a catering truck due to a security threat.

The "Hormuz Catch": Another billboard portrays an Iranian soldier stepping on a captured U.S. underwater drone alongside the text "Business is good", commemorating a recent Revolutionary Guard interception.

Album Parody: A third display riffs on Nirvana's Nevermind album cover, showing Trump underwater reaching for a dollar bill next to the words "GREAT VICTORY! Strait of Hormuz".

Persian Gulf Battle: Additional artwork depicts a mythical warrior standing in burning seas with the message "Satan's army will drown in the Persian Gulf".

From curiosity to political engagement

Kafaei noted that the displays help people who "may not be politically minded" grasp the overall context of national events.

Speaking to AFP, 53-year-old retiree Mahmoudreza Rezaei recalled trying to decipher a billboard referencing "Satan's wedding gift", which alluded to a US strike in southern Iran that hit a wedding ceremony.

"It kept me pondering for a few minutes, trying to decipher the meaning... It had a bit of a riddle-like quality," Rezaei told AFP.

Sahar Jahedi, a 24-year-old pharmacy employee, told AFP that while many citizens are struggling to survive during wartime, such public art plays a "significant role in keeping more people informed about current events".

• US Secretary of State Marco Rubio ordered their removal after they remained in New York well past the UN General Assembly's conclusion.
• Following the initial departure demand, one delegate left Friday night and the final delegate departed Saturday morning.
• Trump anticipates talks resuming despite rejecting Iran's Strait of Hormuz proposal, while IRNA reported no future direct talks are scheduled.

The US Department of State announced Saturday that the United States expelled two members of the Iranian delegation who participated in the recent United Nations General Assembly meetings in New York after they ignored official orders to depart the country.

A US official told Agence France-Presse (AFP) that the two delegates were discovered still present in New York long after the UN General Assembly sessions had concluded, adding that Secretary of State Marco Rubio "means business" regarding foreign diplomatic compliance.

"Two additional members of the Iranian delegation were found to still be present in New York long after the UN General Assembly meetings ended. Now they have been expelled from the United States," a US official confirmed to AFP.

American news outlets reported that the State Department initially instructed Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and his delegation to leave the United States on Monday.

Upon learning from the Iranian Mission to the United Nations that two members remained in the country as of Friday, US authorities moved forward with formal expulsion procedures.

According to reporting by Axios, one of the two delegation members departed the US late Friday night, while the second departed on Saturday morning.

The expulsion follows high-level meetings between US and Iranian officials held on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York last week.

Iran denies scheduled meetings

The diplomatic incident coincides with ongoing friction over regional trade routes and nuclear talks.

US President Donald Trump rejected a proposal submitted by Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within seven days.

However, Trump subsequently told US media outlets that he expects bilateral discussions to resume in the coming days.

In contrast, Iran’s official state news agency (IRNA) reported that no additional direct negotiations are currently scheduled between Tehran and Washington.

Speaking to reporters on the White House lawn before departing for Dayton, Ohio, US President Donald Trump claimed that Iran has abandoned many of its nuclear weapon plans, adding that he will soon make an official decision regarding Tehran.

Addressing domestic economic concerns, Trump emphasized that his administration has successfully lowered costs for Americans, noting that global oil prices are currently retreating following weeks of market volatility.

For coverage of the previous day, visit the link below.

Read more: Day 218 | Trump claims Iran war will end "right after the election" or sooner