Trump, Netanyahu on Iran's 'revenge' list? The truth behind the viral graphic
Tehran: An Iranian conservative newspaper has published an online infographic featuring 13 foreign political leaders, including US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, alongside a message from Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei pledging revenge for the killing of his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
The graphic was published late on Saturday by Hamshahri, a Tehran-based newspaper known for its hard-line editorial stance. While it appeared on the newspaper's online platforms, it was not included in its Sunday print edition.
Mojtaba Khamenei's first public message
The publication followed Mojtaba Khamenei's first public statement since assuming Iran's highest office after the death of his father earlier this year.
In the message reproduced by the newspaper, Mojtaba described revenge as the will of the Iranian nation.
He said that vengeance "must inevitably be carried out" and added that those responsible for his father's death "will take to their graves the wish of a peaceful death in their beds."
The statement marked his first public remarks since the conclusion of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's funeral ceremonies.
Who appeared in the graphic?
The infographic displayed photographs of 13 international leaders and senior officials.
Among those featured were:
- Donald Trump, President of the United States
- Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel
- Keir Starmer, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
- Marco Rubio, US Secretary of State
- Pete Hegseth, US Defence Secretary
- Emmanuel Macron, President of France
- Giorgia Meloni, Prime Minister of Italy
- Friedrich Merz, Chancellor of Germany
The newspaper did not explain why these individuals were selected beyond accompanying Mojtaba Khamenei's statement.
Not an official Iranian government list
Importantly, there has been no official announcement from the Iranian government declaring the people featured in the newspaper graphic to be formal state targets or issuing any operational threat against them.
The infographic reflects the position of a conservative newspaper and reproduces rhetoric attributed to the Supreme Leader, but it has not been presented by Iranian authorities as an official government document or military directive.
The publication comes amid heightened tensions between Iran, the United States and Israel following months of military confrontation and the leadership transition in Tehran after Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's death.
Analysts say the graphic reflects increasingly confrontational messaging from hard-line circles in Iran, even as diplomatic efforts continue to prevent a broader regional conflict.