More than a year after the nuclear deal between Iran and the 5+1 countries, Iran’s state television has aired a new music video full of anti-American propaganda, in which US warships are defeated by a tsunami born out of patriotic sentiment (yes, you read that correctly – it’s best to watch the video to fully understand). This 8-minute video, chock- full of special effects, cost 350,000 euros of public funds. This has garnered a certain degree of criticism, even among conservatives.

The music video was produced by Soureh Film, a company that belongs to the Islamic Propagation Organisation. This organisation’s chief is named directly by Iran’s Supreme Leader.

The video begins on the shores of south Iran. At first, there are scenes of Iranians living in peace, but this ends when an American vessel shoots down an Iranian civilian airplane. (This actually did happen in 1985, when Iran Air flight 655 was shot down by the USS Vincennes, killing 290 people on board). Then, American warplanes and warships attack the coast with missiles.

But suddenly, a few Iranian men grab some national flags, and run towards the ocean. Their patriotic determination makes the waves move, and a reverse tsunami takes out the entire enemy fleet; it even sinks the USS Vincennes, which is clearly labelled. Then, the people go back to living peacefully, with a nuclear power plant in the background.

The lyrics are also quite telling: “If I’m patient, it doesn’t mean I’m apathetic / the world has seen I’m always a fighter / … Oh warship, your loud roar does not scare me … / If you dare come near me, I will break your legs”.

Several news outlets, including some conservative newspapers and websites, criticised the music video – first for its high price tag, secondly for the special effects they judged shoddy, and third for the choice of singer, who is a newcomer that nobody had heard of.

Initially published on France24 on 08/31/2016
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