Iran unveils billboard mural warning US against military action
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Iranian authorities on Sunday unveiled a new mural on a giant billboard in central Tehran warning the United States against launching a military strike, as US warships move closer to the region amid heightened tensions.
The mural, installed in Enghelab Square, depicts a bird’s-eye view of an aircraft carrier with damaged and exploding fighter jets on its deck. Bodies are shown strewn across the ship, with blood trailing into the sea to form a pattern resembling the stripes of the American flag.
A slogan on the image reads, “If you sow the wind, you will reap the whirlwind.”
The unveiling comes as the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier and accompanying warships head toward the Middle East.
US President Donald Trump said the deployment was precautionary, adding that the fleet might not need to be used. He also warned that any potential military action would dwarf US strikes carried out last June on Iranian nuclear sites.
Enghelab Square is frequently used by Iranian authorities to display murals tied to national events and political messaging. A day earlier, the commander of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard said the force was “more ready than ever” and on high alert.
Tensions have escalated following a violent crackdown on nationwide protests in Iran that began on December 28 after the collapse of the national currency. Activist groups say thousands were killed and tens of thousands arrested, though figures remain disputed. A US-based rights group reported 5,848 deaths and more than 41,000 arrests, while Iran’s government has acknowledged 3,117 deaths and disputed higher estimates.
The United States and its allies have increased their military presence in the region, with US Central Command confirming the deployment of F-15E fighter jets and the United Kingdom sending Typhoon jets to Qatar in a defensive role.