Iranian MP calls US 'United States of Idiots' amid Hormuz tensions

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei posted an Arabic warning on social media on Friday after clashes between Iranian and US forces in and around the Strait of Hormuz.

“If you see the lion’s fangs bared, do not think the lion is smiling,” Baghaei wrote on X.

The post came after Iranian and US forces exchanged fire following accusations by both sides of violating a month-old ceasefire linked to the conflict that began with US-Israeli strikes on Iran in late February.

US President Donald Trump said three US Navy destroyers came under attack while transiting the Strait of Hormuz, while Iran’s military accused Washington of striking Iranian vessels.

Iranian lawmaker Fadahossein Maleki said Tehran did not trust negotiations with the United States and did not accept the current ceasefire, accusing Washington of pursuing broader pressure tactics against Iran.

“Blockading the Strait of Hormuz and economic pressure are not the Americans’ last tricks and they are certainly pursuing other scenarios,” Maleki said, according to state media.

“Based on this, we neither trust negotiations nor accept the ceasefire,” he added.

Maleki also described US actions as part of an “economic war” aimed at increasing pressure on Iranians through the Strait of Hormuz, inflation and rising prices, warning that Iran remained highly vulnerable to such pressure.

Internet monitoring group NetBlocks said on Friday that Iran’s nationwide internet blackout had entered its 70th day, with disruptions lasting more than 1,650 hours.

NetBlocks said restricted connectivity continued to affect ordinary Iranians, warning that prolonged internet limits hurt small businesses, students, people with disabilities and the wider public.

Iran has faced severe internet disruptions since the conflict involving Iran, the US and Israel intensified earlier this year.

A delegation of Italian lawmakers has traveled to Libya to discuss expanding energy trade as Europe seeks alternatives to supplies disrupted by the war in the Persian Gulf, Politico reported.

The report said the visit reflected growing European and US interest in Libya’s large but underused energy resources following global shortages linked to the conflict involving Iran.

Libya already exports some gas to Italy, but flows have remained limited since the 2011 civil war that toppled former leader Muammar Gaddafi.

Politico said Libya’s energy sector continues to face instability due to ongoing armed violence and political divisions between rival administrations.

China said on Friday it was deeply concerned after a Chinese-linked tanker was attacked near the Strait of Hormuz amid the ongoing conflict involving Iran, the US and Israel.

“There are Chinese aboard the vessel but no reported crew casualties so far,” China’s foreign ministry said.

A Chinese-owned oil products tanker was attacked near the Strait of Hormuz earlier this week, marking the first reported attack on a Chinese oil tanker since the conflict began.

According to Reuters, the vessel’s deck caught fire during the incident near the coast of the United Arab Emirates. Maritime security sources identified the ship as the Marshall Islands-flagged tanker JV Innovation.