Iranian newspapers have launched a sharp media offensive against Donald Trump, accusing him of misleading the public over claims of diplomatic efforts to end the ongoing conflict, as tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz continue to escalate.
Front pages on Wednesday featured biting satire, including a cartoon published by the conservative daily Javan, portraying Trump with an exaggeratedly long nose in a reference to Pinocchio. The image appeared above a map of the Strait of Hormuz alongside a headline branding him “the world’s most pathetic and dishonourable liar”.
The criticism follows Trump’s recent announcement of talks with Tehran, made just hours before the expiration of an ultimatum he had issued warning of potential strikes on Iranian power facilities if the waterway was not reopened. Iranian officials have firmly denied the existence of any negotiations, whether direct or indirect.
Iranian outlets argue the claims were aimed at calming global markets and lowering oil prices, which have surged since hostilities involving Israel and the United States began on February 28. According to Javan, prices rebounded after Tehran dismissed the suggestion of talks, likening Trump to “a gambler in a slump” miscalculating the course of the conflict.
State-affiliated Tasnim News Agency also joined in the criticism, publishing an image of Trump with a dishevelled appearance and a weary expression. Another publication, Sobh-e No, ran the headline “The politics of lies”, reflecting a broader tone across Iranian media commentary.
The rhetoric extended beyond print. A spokesperson for Iran’s armed forces, Ebrahim Zolfaghari, mocked the US leader in a televised address, suggesting Trump was effectively “negotiating with himself”.
Zolfaghari, who has become a prominent figure in state broadcasts, has drawn attention for his multilingual messaging during the crisis, occasionally switching between Persian, Arabic, Hebrew and English. In a widely circulated moment, he reworked one of Trump’s well-known phrases, declaring: “Trump, you’re fired!”
