Trump accused of stealing photographer's award-winning picture: 'This image is for my people, not this man'

US president's use of image to attack Tehran causes owner 'deep sorrow'

Donald Trump has been criticised by a photographer after he allegedly used one of her award-winning photos without permission in a tweet designed to place pressure on Iranian authorities.

The US president posted two tweets on Monday – the 40th anniversary of the 1979 Iranian revolution – in which he attacked the Islamic Republic and its ruler the Ayatollah Khomeini.

“40 years of corruption. 40 years of repression. 40 years of terror. The regime in Iran has produced only #40YearsofFailure. The long-suffering Iranian people deserve a much brighter future,” Mr Trump tweeted, before posting a second featuring the same message in Persian.

Both tweets were accompanied by an image showing a female protester wearing a headscarf with her left arm raised.

Hours later, Iranian photojournalist Yalda Moaiery claimed the image as her own and said Mr Trump’s use of it has caused her “deep sorrow”.

She said the photo was taken last year during demonstrations around Tehran University, and that she hoped it could be used as a “symbol of freedom” around the world.

“But having President Trump use it without my permission in a tweet in Persian even is a great shame for me and causes me deep sorrow” the 37-year-old wrote on Instagram.

“Because of his policies I, my family and my friends are forced to live under sanctions that are devastating our lives. Our currency lost 70 per cent of its value. We all became poor.

"Even if I could go to America financially (I cannot) to visit my dad, I wouldn’t be able to go, as he has imposed a travel ban on the Iranians he says he cares so deeply for," she added, in reference to the Trump administration's controversial policy banning travellers from a number of Muslim-majority countries entry to the US.

“This image shows my people and is for my people, and shouldn’t be abused by this man in Washington.”

The White House has been contacted for clarification as to how Mr Trump sourced the photo.

The row comes amid attempts by the Trump administration to maintain pressure on the Iranian regime, which Mr Trump views as a “source of potential danger and conflict” in the Middle East.

Last month, the president lambasted his own intelligence community over its “extremely passive and naïve” views on Iran, after top officials contradicted the president’s claims on its nuclear ambitions.