Iranian Propaganda

Iranian Propaganda of the Iran Iraq war

The reasons countries go to war can be numerous and fiercely debated, however the reason people go to war is easier to pinpoint. Every soldier needs a case that can shape his identity and motivated him to fight. This cause can be easily found in artwork, recruitment, and propaganda of the region.


Many of the wartime posters and artwork glorified the solder and war. 

This poster displayed Iranian soldiers, of various military branches and ethnicity, valiantly marching to battle. Overlooking the soldiers is the image of Ayatollah Khomeini, who was the head of the Iranian revolution and leader of Iran. This picture seems to depict Khomeini in a benevolent guardian angel type role, also guiding the battle, and watching over his men.

 

http://www.lib.uchicago.edu/e/webexhibits/iranianposters/holydefense.html

Despite the previous image many posters, did not shy away from brutalities of war, but embraced them and emphasized the heroics of martyrdom and sacrifice.

 This picture shows a lone soldier staying vigilant. The green haze acknowledges the massive chemical attacks that where taking place, and helps to demonize the enemy Iraq for using such weapons.

  

http://www.lib.uchicago.edu/e/webexhibits/iranianposters/holydefense.html

  
Here a captured Iranian soldier is executed. This harsh, brutal poster is accompanied by figures of Islamic scripture to seemingly glamorized death in the name of the Iranian cause. Figures such as Imam Husayn, who would accompany the executed solder into the glorious afterlife, as well as three headless men who represent fellow martyrs.

 

 http://www.lib.uchicago.edu/e/webexhibits/iranianposters/newkarbala.html 

In addition to these two takes on capturing a could be soldiers will to fight there were also more generic propaganda. 

Here is a more generic wartime poster. Having various groups ethnicity’s and religious figures all calling for war, this shows a united Iraq unafraid and assured of victory.

 

 http://www.lib.uchicago.edu/e/webexhibits/iranianposters/holydefense.html

This last poster I want to highlight shows a mousetrap, with a dead mouse, over the country of Iran.  This conveys a few ideas. First is paints Iraq as an antagonizing invader and aggressor of the war (the mouse).  Second it says that Iraq will easily be defeated by the defending and strong Iran.

http://www.lib.uchicago.edu/e/webexhibits/iranianposters/holydefense.html

Note: many of these posters have layers of meaning and are obviously up to interpretation, for many more posters, and art work, or a more in-depth look at any of the posters I put here. Follow any of the posted links or this one here.  http://www.lib.uchicago.edu/e/webexhibits/iranianposters/index.html