Iranian Newspaper Features AI Images of Netanyahu and Trump as Assassination Targets Amid Revenge Threats

The Iranian newspaper "Al-Moshahere," owned by the Tehran municipality and one of the city's most widely read publications, published AI-generated images on its front page depicting assassination targets. The images prominently featured Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former U.S. President Donald Trump wearing prison uniforms. Below them appeared Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, U.S. Central Command Commander General Bradley Cooper, Senator Marco Rubio, and U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth.

The newspaper, founded by former Tehran mayor Gholam-Hossein Karbaschi, is known for its extensive classified ads and has been involved in political controversies, including a 2006 international Holocaust cartoon contest that drew widespread condemnation. Earlier, Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, who remains unseen publicly, issued a written statement declaring that revenge for his father’s death must be carried out regardless of his or other leaders’ presence.

Amid ongoing U.S.-Iran negotiations, an Iranian source told Fars News Agency that Iran will not engage in talks unless the U.S. withdraws its positions. The source emphasized a spiritual renewal in Iran following the unjust bloodshed and vowed revenge for the deaths of Ali Khamenei and others. Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi traveled to Muscat, Oman, to discuss safe passage arrangements for ships through the Strait of Hormuz.

Reports from Saudi Al-Hadath network indicated that Washington warned mediators to inform Iran that any disruption of free navigation would be considered a military escalation. Earlier, CBS reported that Tehran contacted Washington and New Delhi claiming attacks on civilian tankers in the Strait of Hormuz were carried out by rogue elements, not by official orders. Araghchi stated on X (formerly Twitter) that Iran has upheld its commitments, blaming violations on U.S. actions.

White House officials told The Wall Street Journal that a nuclear deal with Iran is unlikely through diplomacy alone, asserting Iran cannot meet the memorandum’s conditions. They demand Iran publicly declare it will not attack ships in the Strait of Hormuz, warning of severe consequences if the strait is not reopened by Saturday evening. On Tuesday, it was revealed that Mojtaba Khamenei is the key decision-maker in Iran, operating from hiding and effectively acting as Supreme Leader, though he remains unseen, reportedly due to plastic surgeries altering his appearance.