Iranian diplomats mock Trump’s Hormuz remarks with ‘California’ jibe

Iranian diplomats in India responded with sarcasm to comments by US President Donald Trump regarding the Strait of Hormuz, in a move that carried both symbolic and political weight.

The diplomats shared a map of the United States with California highlighted, captioned “A new land for the Islamic Republic of Iran,” in a satirical nod to Trump’s suggestion that the Strait of Hormuz could be considered “new American territory.”

California holds particular significance in this context, as it is home to the largest Iranian community in the US, with many residing in Los Angeles—a city often referred to by Iranians as “Tehrangeles.”

The Iranian response came after Trump posted an image of the Strait of Hormuz on his Truth Social account, labeling it “new American territory” to underscore his stance on the strategic waterway.