In a stark visual warning amid escalating military tensions, Iranian authorities have unveiled a new and provocative mural on a giant billboard in Tehran's central Enghelab Square. The artwork directly cautions the United States against attempting any military strike on Iran, as American warships advance towards the region.
A Graphic Warning to Washington
The newly revealed image presents a bird's-eye view of an aircraft carrier in a state of severe distress. The vessel's flight deck is depicted with damaged and exploding fighter planes, strewn with bodies and streaked with blood. This blood trails into the water behind the ship, forming a pattern that chillingly resembles the stripes of the American flag. Emblazoned across one corner of the mural is a stark slogan in English and Farsi: "If you sow the wind, you will reap the whirlwind."
Timing Coincides with Naval Movements
The unveiling of this confrontational mural on Sunday comes as the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier, accompanied by supporting warships, moves towards the Middle East. US President Donald Trump stated that the naval group is being deployed "just in case" he decides to take action. "We have a massive fleet heading in that direction and maybe we won't have to use it," Trump remarked on Thursday, keeping strategic options open.
This public display follows a warning on Saturday from the commander of Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, who declared his force is "more ready than ever, finger on the trigger." Enghelab Square, a location traditionally used for state-called gatherings, frequently sees its central mural altered to reflect national occasions and current political sentiments.
Background of Rising Tensions
Relations between the US and Iran have deteriorated sharply following a brutal government crackdown on nationwide protests. These demonstrations, which began on 28 December, were initially sparked by the collapse of the Iranian rial currency and rapidly spread across the country. The subsequent crackdown resulted in thousands of deaths and tens of thousands of arrests, according to activists.
President Trump had previously threatened military retaliation if Iran continued to kill peaceful protesters or carried out mass executions of detainees. While there have been no significant protests for several days, Trump recently claimed Tehran halted plans to execute about 800 arrested protesters—an assertion Iran's top prosecutor has labelled "completely false."
Military Posturing on Both Sides
Trump has indicated that any future US military action would be severe, suggesting it would make last June's strikes on Iranian nuclear sites "look like peanuts." In parallel military developments, the US Air Force confirmed the presence of F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jets in the Middle East, stating they enhance combat readiness and regional security.
Similarly, the UK Ministry of Defence announced on Thursday the deployment of Typhoon fighter jets to Qatar in a defensive capacity, underscoring the international dimension of the regional military buildup.
Information Blackout and Ongoing Fallout
The death toll from the protests continues to rise as information slowly emerges despite a severe internet blackout imposed by Iranian authorities—reportedly the most comprehensive in the nation's history, lasting over two weeks. This communications shutdown has severely hampered the flow of information from within the country.
The mural at Enghelab Square stands as a potent symbol of Iran's defiant stance, transforming a central public space into a canvas for geopolitical messaging. As warships patrol nearby waters and fighter jets bolster regional air forces, this graphic warning from Tehran underscores the volatile and highly charged atmosphere between the two nations.
