The Islamic Republic’s Instrumental Misuse of War Ruins: Propaganda
War Ruins as Political Theater
Turning Destruction into Messaging
Instead of isolating the damaged zones for recovery and investigation, authorities allowed—and in many cases encouraged—public access. Families, clerics, and pro-government supporters were seen gathering in front of destroyed buildings.
This is not accidental.
From an information strategy perspective, war ruins provide powerful visual symbolism:
- Victimhood
- Resistance
- Moral legitimacy
- External (enemy) framing
By placing civilians and religious figures directly within these spaces, the government creates a visual narrative of resilience under attack.
April 10, 2026 | 6:19 pm
