Tehran Warns US of Retaliation as Warships Move Into Region

Iranian authorities on Sunday unveiled a giant mural in Tehran’s Enghelab Square warning the United States against launching a military strike, as US naval forces head toward the Middle East.

The mural depicts an aircraft carrier viewed from above, its flight deck damaged, fighter jets exploding, and bodies scattered across the surface. Blood trails from the ship into the sea, forming a pattern resembling the stripes of the US flag. A slogan reads: “If you sow the wind, you will reap the whirlwind.”

Enghelab Square is commonly used by Iranian authorities for state messaging, with murals frequently changed to reflect political developments or national events.

US Military Deployments Raise Stakes

The mural’s unveiling coincides with the deployment of the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier and accompanying warships to the region. US President Donald Trump said the move was precautionary.

“We have a massive fleet heading in that direction and maybe we won’t have to use it,” Trump said on Thursday.

Trump added that any future military action would make last year’s US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites “look like peanuts,” underscoring the scale of potential escalation.

Regional Forces on Alert

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard signaled heightened readiness. On Saturday, its commander said the force was “more ready than ever, finger on the trigger.”

The US military also confirmed that F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jets are now operating in the Middle East, stating the deployment enhances “combat readiness and regional security.”

The UK Ministry of Defence said it has deployed Typhoon fighter jets to Qatar in a defensive capacity.

Protests and Political Pressure

Tensions escalated following a violent crackdown on protests that erupted on December 28, triggered by Iran’s collapsing currency. Activists report thousands killed and tens of thousands arrested, though official figures remain undisclosed.

Trump has threatened military action if Iran continues to kill protesters or carries out mass executions. He recently claimed Tehran halted plans to execute hundreds of detainees — a statement Iran’s top prosecutor dismissed as “completely false.”

US Exercises Planned

A US CENTCOM Air Forces source told Al Jazeera that American forces will conduct several days of exercises aimed at strengthening deployment capabilities and preparing for a flexible regional response.