Iranian propaganda: Trump is suddenly popular in Tehran – as a parody behind bars

US President Donald Trump, who is largely unpopular in many parts of the world and now also in his own country, is currently enjoying great popularity in Iran, of all places: In the capital Tehran, an installation about the war against the USA has been attracting a lot of attention for a few days and is becoming a magnet for visitors.

At the well-known Tajrish Square in the north of the city with over a million inhabitants, the city administration commissioned an actor to pose as Trump - behind bars, as if he were serving a prison sentence. The cell was installed on a pillar several meters above the square on Wednesday. The actor, wearing a dark suit with a red tie and a mask that shows the face of the US President, walks up and down in the cage and shakes the bars from time to time. The installation is attached to a free-standing billboard, next to which an LED wall shows texts and images accusing the US President of war crimes.

According to the organizers, the actor can be seen in the cell from morning to noon. He also takes his place in the “prison” in the evening until after midnight. Many people stop in front of the billboard and take photos and videos. "Don't worry, we'll pay your bail and get you out!" a passerby joked to the Trump actor, according to a report by the AFP news agency. A teenager vented his anger: "Trump, this time we'll kill you!" he shouted. According to the dpa news agency, an Iranian woman said on Saturday that she was very worried about new bombings by the US army. Regarding the installation, she explained: "I think it's just funny."

The fear of a renewed military escalation does not seem unfounded. On Friday, the US State Department apparently ordered a reduction in US staff at embassies in the United Arab Emirates, Lebanon, Qatar and Jordan, several US media reported. There have been reports of military exercises and missile tests in Iran in recent weeks. Experts believe that the war will flare up again after the midterm elections in the USA on November 3rd.

Since the start of the war, which was triggered by US and Israeli attacks at the end of February, Iran has increased its anti-US propaganda at home, for example through large murals in public places and video games. Propaganda artworks often spread quickly on the Internet.

The Tehran city administration is behind the campaign. According to its own statements, it wants to remind its residents that Iran is demanding accountability from Trump for its war actions. The Iranian regime announced retaliation after the attacks began. It accuses the US president of deliberately attacking civilian targets, including a school and a wedding reception, resulting in the deaths of dozens of women and children. According to government-affiliated media, the installation will continue to operate continuously until further notice - seven days a week.