IRGC Unveils Provocative Mural in Tehran's Enqelab Square Depicting Strikes on US Aircraft Carrier

Amid escalating tensions between Iran and the United States, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has unveiled a new mural in Tehran's central Enqelab Square that graphically portrays Iranian missile strikes targeting a U.S. aircraft carrier. The artwork, which surfaced in reports and social media posts on January 25, 2026, appears to serve as a bold propaganda statement, signaling defiance and military readiness in the face of potential U.S. military action.

The mural depicts explosions and missiles raining down on what resembles a Nimitz-class U.S. Navy carrier, complete with flames and sinking imagery, symbolizing Iran's claimed capability to counter American naval power in the region. Enqelab Square, a historic site often used for regime propaganda displays, has previously featured anti-Western murals, but this one comes at a particularly volatile time. It follows weeks of nationwide protests in Iran that began in late December 2025 over economic collapse and have evolved into calls for regime change, resulting in thousands of reported deaths during a brutal crackdown.

The unveiling also coincides with heightened U.S.-Iran rhetoric, including U.S. President Donald Trump's warnings of potential strikes and Iran's threats of retaliation against American bases and assets.

Social media users, including Iranian dissidents and international observers, have reacted strongly, with some calling it a sign of desperation from a regime under siege. One post described the IRGC as "idiots" for such provocative imagery, while others see it as part of a broader effort to rally domestic support and deter foreign intervention.

This isn't the first time Iran has used murals for anti-U.S. messaging; similar artworks have adorned sites like the former U.S. Embassy in Tehran since the 1979 revolution, often refreshed during periods of conflict.

For instance, a November 2025 mural in the same square highlighted figures "betrayed by trusting the U.S.," including Afghan leaders.

As U.S. naval assets like the USS Abraham Lincoln move toward the Middle East, the mural underscores Iran's focus on the Strait of Hormuz and Persian Gulf as potential flashpoints, where it has historically threatened to disrupt global oil flows.

No official IRGC statement has been released confirming the mural's intent, but it aligns with recent vows from Iranian leaders to respond forcefully to any aggression.

Analysts suggest this could be an attempt to project strength amid internal unrest and external pressures.