Iran’s diplomatic missions around the world are reportedly ignoring US President Donald Trump’s warning to open the Strait of Hormuz, instead choosing to mock him with tongue-in-cheek responses. In a bizarre display of defiance, the Iranian embassy in Zimbabwe responded to Trump’s threat by saying “the key is lost.” The embassy in Bulgaria responded with a cartoon depicting Trump stuck in the narrow waters of the Strait of Hormuz. The embassy in Tajikistan showed Trump with a noose around his neck, blaming his aggression for the escalating tensions.
In Indonesia, the Iranian embassy took to social media to troll Trump by sharing a video of US planes arriving in Iran and then being destroyed. In Armenia, a video was released mocking Trump’s war-mongering policies by linking them to the global energy crisis. Meanwhile, in Iran, the people have taken to the streets to prevent the destruction of their country’s power plants and bridges.
The US embassy in Bahrain has suspended its consular services, and the US has advised its citizens in Bahrain to seek safe locations. Qatar has announced its support for Pakistan-led mediation efforts, while Britain’s news agency has reported that Iran is unlikely to open the Strait of Hormuz on empty promises.
As the deadline for Iran looms closer, Pakistan and Egypt have stepped up their efforts to negotiate a ceasefire. Experts and politicians have branded Trump’s statement as a thinly veiled threat of genocide. A prominent US newspaper has warned of the dangers of a global financial crisis if war breaks out.
In response to Trump’s statement, Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said that threatening to destroy Iranian infrastructure is a sign of desperation. Trump’s own words were that he didn’t want war but it was possible.
The Iranian media has reported that train services have been suspended in the city of Mashhad, while the Revolutionary Guard has warned that the US and its allies would be targeted if they launched an attack on Iranian infrastructure. Iran’s ambassador to Kuwait, Mohammad Totonji, has warned that if the US launches an attack on Iranian assets, the region could see a complete halt in energy exports.
The King Fahd Causeway, which connects Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, has been reopened to traffic after a temporary closure. Trump has also claimed that Japan and South Korea have not supported the US in its efforts to pressure Iran.
According to a US newspaper, Iranian officials have informed Pakistan about the US’s decision. Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has said that threatening to destroy Iranian infrastructure is a sign of desperation.
