Fact Check: Is the image showing a mural of Ayatollah Khamenei in Minneapolis real?

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA: An image began circulating on social media in January showing a mural in Minneapolis that depicts the Supreme Leader of Iran, Ayatollah Khamenei, alongside pop singer Bob Dylan.

The image sparked speculation, with many questioning its authenticity. Below, we examine the picture and fact-check it.

Claim: Viral image shows a mural of Khamenei in Minneapolis

According to the viral image, the mural shows Khamenei’s profile on a large, colourful artwork on Hennepin Avenue, with an additional message, “Iran, please help us,” painted beneath a Bob Dylan song title and lyric: “The times they are a-changin’.”

The claim also suggests that Dylan’s mural in downtown Minneapolis was painted over in mid-January to replace the Minnesota native with a picture of the Iranian Supreme Leader. 

One such post was published on X by an account called SilencedSirs, with a caption stating, “In Minneapolis, a well-known graffiti mural was painted over overnight. The artwork showed an Iranian ayatollah alongside protesters’ message: “Iran please help us.”

Fact Check: The image is digitally altered

However, the image is digitally altered and was not painted over in mid-January to replace Dylan. The original image was posted on a blog published in 2021 and makes no reference to Iran.

As of January 29 this year, the original painting remains in Minneapolis and depicts various stages of Dylan’s life.

According to Hennepin Art, the mural was painted by Brazilian street artist Eduardo Kobra as a tribute to one of the world’s most celebrated musicians and a Nobel Prize laureate. Kobra’s Instagram account also confirms this.

US-Iran tensions rise amid protest crackdown

The image surfaced amid rising tensions between Washington and Tehran, which intensified following Iran’s violent crackdown on nationwide protests that reportedly left thousands dead.

Donald Trump publicly called for regime change while also urging Iran to strike a deal addressing concerns over its nuclear program.

The New York Times reported that Trump had been presented with a range of military options, including potential raids on targets inside Iran, citing multiple United States officials.

Despite the military posturing, diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions continued. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Friday that Tehran was open to resuming negotiations, provided they were “fair and equitable” and excluded Iran’s defense capabilities.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.