A graphic published by the Tehran-based newspaper Hamshahri has intensified diplomatic tensions by featuring 13 senior U.S., Israeli, and European figures as apparent targets for retribution following the assassination of Iran’s former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
The AI-generated image shows U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with crosshairs on their foreheads, while the other 11 individuals are depicted in orange prison jumpsuits. It was released online alongside statements from Iran’s current Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, who has vowed retribution for his father’s killing in a U.S.-Israeli airstrike on February 28, 2026.
Leaders Featured in the Graphic
Reports indicate the 13 figures include:
1. Donald Trump, U.S. President
2. Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli Prime Minister
3. Marco Rubio, U.S. Secretary of State
4. Pete Hegseth, U.S. Secretary of Defense
5. Brad Cooper, Commander of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM)
6. Mike Huckabee, U.S. Ambassador to Israel
7. Israel Katz, Israeli Defense Minister
8. Gideon Sa’ar, Israeli Foreign Minister
9. Eyal Zamir, IDF Chief of Staff
10. Giorgia Meloni, Prime Minister of Italy
11. Keir Starmer, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
12. Emmanuel Macron, President of France
13. Friedrich Merz, Chancellor of Germany
Hamshahri, a conservative daily owned by the Tehran municipality and often aligned with hardline views, published the infographic on or around July 11–12. While not an official government statement, the publication reflects ongoing hardliner sentiment in Iran.
The move comes amid persistent uncertainty surrounding the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has issued repeated declarations of closure or restrictions on the vital waterway in response to military developments, while U.S. officials and maritime monitoring groups maintain that key shipping routes remain operational despite sporadic attacks and a fragile truce.
Khamenei’s death, confirmed by Iranian authorities days after the February 28 strike, continues to fuel calls for revenge from segments of the Iranian establishment nearly five months later.
Western reactions have largely dismissed the graphic as provocative propaganda, though it risks further complicating diplomatic efforts in a region already strained by conflict and economic pressures. No immediate operational threats have been linked directly to the publication.
This story is compiled from multiple international reports. Developments are being closely watched by governments and markets due to the strategic importance of Gulf shipping lanes.