From Johnny Depp to Shah Rukh: How Iranian embassies are mocking Trump with AI images amid Hormuz blockade threats
The diplomatic offensive comes amid rising tensions after US President Donald Trump repeatedly claimed that Iran’s navy was “depleted” and Tehran backtracked through coordinated messaging across its global missions.
Mumbai consulate quotes Shah Rukh Khan’s dialogue to mock Trump
Iran’s consulate in Mumbai shared video of fast missile boats, calling them the “red bees of the Persian Gulf” and warning of swarm tactics. The post also used a popular Bollywood dialogue “abhi toh sirf trailer hai, picture abhi baaki hai” to signal that Iran’s response is not over yet.
Hormuz warning veiled messages at Jordanian embassy
Iran’s embassy in Jordan shared a photo with the message “If you can’t open it, close it tightly”, which was seen as a reference to the Strait of Hormuz and rising tensions over maritime access.
South African embassy shares ‘pirates’ dig at US leaders
In South Africa, the Iranian embassy published a photo of Trump with senior US officials and branded them “wretched pirates of the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz”.
Also Read: US Navy launches blockade of Hormuz: These 9,000-ton destroyers with Tomahawks were deployed to stop maritime traffic, control their properties
Zimbabwe embassy uses pop culture parody
Iran’s embassy in Zimbabwe shared a modified “Pirates of the Caribbean”-themed image mocking US actions and suggesting its forces remain adrift in the region.
Coordinated messaging challenges US claims
The posts form part of a broader backlash against Trump’s claim that Iran’s navy was destroyed. Tehran continues to deny these allegations, arguing that its naval capabilities remain intact while touting its fast attack craft and control of key waterways.
The coordinated campaign underscores a growing information war with military signals in which Iran uses humor, satire and cultural references to counter U.S. narratives and project confidence globally.
What do countries say about Hormuz?
Qatar stated that the fragile ceasefire between the USA and Iran should be consolidated in a way that will increase security and stability, and underlined stronger coordination and joint efforts to stop the tension through dialogue and peaceful means.
China criticized the US action, saying increased military operations and targeted blockade would escalate tensions and undermine the ceasefire, calling it a dangerous and irresponsible behavior that could jeopardize safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz.
Australia stressed the importance of freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, saying it was working with partners including France and Britain, but added that any direct contribution would depend on how the ceasefire develops and whether conditions allow efforts to reopen the strait.
US President Donald Trump defended the move, saying the blockade was launched to force Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and accept Washington’s terms to end the war, adding that the US could not allow any country to “blackmail or blackmail the world” and stated that the talks were possible “because they want to make a deal.”
