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The ultimate prank or a trick of the light? Outrage in Iran after satellite image shows Star of David on airport roof

By Daily Mail Reporter
Updated: 10:30 EST, 1 December 2010

It could be one of the most outrageous pranks in history, or simply just a trick of the light.

But a satellite image of the Iran Air headquarters in Tehran has sparked fury in the Iranian government after the image of the Star of David appeared to have been painted on the roof.

Unamused government officials have called for the symbol to be removed as speculation increased that it may have been in place since before the Islamic Revolution in 1979.

Outrage: The six-point Star of David is clearly visible on the roof of the Iran Air HQ in Tehran

Prank? The building was constructed by Israeli engineers before the Islamic Revolution in 1979

The star is clearly visible in the centre of the propeller-shaped building in the west of the city, but uncertainty surrounds whether it was genuine.

Iranian media has claimed that the Iran Air building was constructed by Israeli engineers during the time of Shah Mohamed Reza Pahlavi, when relations between the two countries were much closer.

At the time, regular flights were scheduled between Tehran's Mehrabad International Airport and Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion airport and Israel also sold weapons to the Shah in return for oil.

One Iranian website said: 'It's interesting that even 32 years after the victory of the revolution, this Zionist star symbol has yet to be removed from the building.'

In August, the presence of the Star of David caused further anger after it was spotted on top of one of the buildings in Tehran's Revolution Square.

Media labelled it 'the Zionist regime is conquering the Revolution Square', and again called for it to be removed.

Iran severed all ties with Israel after the revolution and has been set upon removing the state of Israel ever since, including supporting terrorist groups like Hezbollah and Hamas.