Donald Trump on fire image gleefully shared by Iran media prompts outrage

Iranian media have sent shockwaves through cyberspace by circulating an unnerving image of Donald Trump's head engulfed in flames subsequent to missile strikes hitting a US base today, amid a backdrop of rising geopolitical strain despite Trump's ceasefire declaration.

On Monday, Iran retaliated cautiously with a missile strike aimed at an American military facility in Qatar. This was in response to the US's recent assault on Iranian nuclear infrastructure, signalling a potential turning point towards de-escalation in a tense Middle Eastern landscape.

Trump announced that the early warning provided by Iran negated any harm, thus framing the event as "a very weak response.

"Most importantly, they've gotten it all out of their 'system,' and there will, hopefully, be no further HATE," Trump broadcasted on Truth Social.

However, the Iran News Agency, backed by government authority from the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance, escalated rhetoric against Trump by publishing a graphic portrayal of him with his head ablaze atop a matchstick incinerating the US flag, with an ominous English message: "The reckoning. It won't be long before you pay for what you've done," reports the Mirror.

This fraught visual message sharply contrasts with Trump’s posts on Truth Social, where he has been spreading a narrative of a triumphant Middle East policy with the catchphrase "congratulations world, it's time for peace."

Qatar rebuked the Iranian attack which targeted the Al Udeid Air Base, but reported effective interception of the incoming short- and medium-range ballistic missiles.

Iran claimed its bold response matched the tally of explosives the United States used on Iranian nuclear facilities over the past weekend. Tehran also justified targeting the isolated base to avoid civilian areas.

Following the strike, Iran's immediate reaction hinted at a desire to reduce tensions with the United States, mirroring President Trump's sentiment post-attack on Sunday in Iran.

Trump speculated that Iran could now "now proceed to Peace and Harmony" and expressed his intention to prompt Israel towards similar conciliation. Nonetheless, Israeli assaults on Iran persisted, intensifying operations on Monday to hit sites essential to Iran's ruling clergy.

As majestic music played, Iran broadcasted the offensive on state television, describing it on-screen as "a mighty and successful response" against "America's aggression."

Qatar condemned the assault by Iran's Revolutionary Guards as "a flagrant violation of Qatar's sovereignty, its airspace, and international law."

The strategic Al Udeid base is also the site of the Combined Air Operations Center, pivotal for regional air force coordination, and houses the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing, the world's most considerable unit of its kind.

In a defiant message just prior to the blasts, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian took to the social platform X and stated: "We neither initiated the war nor seeking it. But we will not leave invasion to the great Iran without answer."

The subsequent retaliatory action came on the heels of an unexpected offensive by the US on Sunday morning against three of Iran's nuclear facilities.

However, Trump dramatically revealed on Monday night that a ceasefire between Israel and Iran had been agreed — which could spell the end of the war.

The former US president took to social media to hail the dramatic breakthrough. “It has been fully agreed by and between Israel and Iran that there will be a Complete and Total CEASEFIRE,” Trump wrote.

He added that the truce would come into effect “in approximately six hours,” allowing both sides to finish their final military missions before a 12-hour halt to hostilities.

Follow the Express ceasefire live blog for updates.