Visuals of a new billboard in Tehran’s Vali-e-Asr Square have escalated Iran’s public campaign of threats. The billboard features the name of recently deceased US Senator Lindsey Graham accompanied with what appears to be a hidden reference to assasination threats for US President Donald Trump.The billboard, controlled by the IRGC-linked Owj Arts and Media Organisation, features the unusual capitalisation of the letters “D” and “T” in its English slogan, “who is D nexT one?”, appearing to allude to Trump.State-run IRNA said the billboard was installed following Graham’s death, describing him as one of the most anti-Iran politicians in the United States.Conservative voices in Iran have portrayed Graham’s death as divine punishment for what they see as his persistent pursuit of war against the country.
Escalating threats amid calls for revenge
Lindsey Graham died on July 11 after what his office described as a brief and sudden illness. He had become a prominent supporter of Iran’s opposition movement, calling for a “free Iran” at a Munich gathering and waving the country’s pre-Islamic Republic flag.At the funeral of former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, mourners carried placards showing Trump, Graham, conservative commentator Ben Shapiro and activist Laura Loomer with red crosshairs over their faces and warnings including: “Sooner or later, your heads will roll.” Mourners also displayed a $100 million bounty for Trump and chanted calls for his killing.A previous billboard in Tehran’s featured an image of Trump alongside the slogan “We will kill Trump” in both Persian and English. Trump has warned that if Iran attempts to assassinate him, the US will deliver a “severe and devastating” response.