Mural in Iran warns U.S. against military strike

Iranian authorities unveiled a mural on a giant billboard in a central Tehran square on Sunday with a direct warning to the United States to not attempt a military strike on the country, as U.S. warships head to the region.

- By ELENA BECATOROS

THE MURAL'S unveiling Sunday comes as U.S. warships head to the Mideast.

(VAHID SALEMI Associated Press)

The image shows a bird’s-eye view of an aircraft carrier with damaged and exploding fighter planes on its flight deck. The deck is strewn with bodies and streaked with blood that trails into the water behind the ship to form a pattern reminiscent of the stripes of the American flag. A slogan in Persian and English is emblazoned across one corner: “If you sow the wind, you will reap the whirlwind.”

The unveiling of the mural in Enghelab Square comes as the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and accompanying warships move toward the region. President Trump has said the ships are being moved “just in case” as he decides to take action, as he has threatened since the Iranian government cracked down on a recent series of mass protests.

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