Tehran – A new mural in Engelab Square in Tehran features a design that shows Rostam in battle with the US iconic multipurpose dragon.
The poem is engraved on the mural. “When the end of this final quest brings cheers, we sing the name of Iran, the enemy slayer,” reported Mehr.
The poem is written in style and tone reminiscent of Feldoushi’s poem in Shaname (the King’s Book).
Inspired by Feldouzi’s grand style, the murals are created to match the image of Rostam and nationalistic vibes.
Rostam is a legendary hero of Persian mythology and a central figure in Sharname. This is a Persian national epic composed by Feldousi in the 10th and 11th centuries. Rostam embodies values such as courage, loyalty, and the strength of the people. This is often portrayed in mythical battles against powerful enemies such as demons (divs), traitors, dragons and more.
Feldouzi’s Shakhname is the cornerstone of Persian literature and identity, documenting the mythical and historical past of Iran from the creation of the world until the conquest of the Arabs in the 7th century. Through poetic storytelling, it promotes themes of justice, heroism and resistance to oppression.
In this mural, the United States is depicted as a dragon, a classic enemy of Persian mythology, symbolizing chaos, destruction and foreign threats. The conflict with that of Rostam is a hidden phony of Iran’s resistance to US policy, particularly in the context of ongoing political and ideological tensions. This image transforms mythical battles into modern political all-tales, framing Iran (as Rostam embodied) as heroic, noble and rebellious in the face of a powerful enemy.
Including Feldouzi’s poems reinforces the nationalist tone, calling for historical pride and the idea that Iran is always overcoming its enemy.
Another sentence engraved on the mural reads, “The Almighty God assured the victory of the Iranian state.”
The statement was made by the leader of the Islamic Revolution during a meeting with a judicial officer two weeks ago.
The portrayal of the United States as an Iranian enemy is deeply rooted in decades of geopolitical conflict, ideological opposition and historical trauma.
The US has imposed multiple economic sanctions on Iran, targeting banks, oil, trade and even medicine. These sanctions are considered by many Iranians as acts of economic warfare, hurting ordinary people and undermining national development. The Trump administration’s withdrawal from the 2015 Iran’s nuclear deal (JCPOA) and the “maximum pressure” campaign have strengthened this awareness of hostility.
The presence of US forces in the Middle East (particularly Iraq, Syria, the Persian Gulf), close alliances with Israel, and the targeted killing of General Qasem Soleimani in 2020 all strengthens Iran’s views as a direct and dangerous enemy of the United States.
Additionally, on June 22, the United States bombed Iran’s nuclear facilities during the 12-day Iran-Israel war. From an Iranian leadership perspective, these actions are confirmed to be considerable lengths by putting regional wars at stake to stop Iran’s technical and geopolitical rise.
SS/