TEHRAN, May 8: Iranian officials intensified their rhetoric against the United States on Friday amid escalating tensions and recent clashes in and around the Strait of Hormuz, warning that Tehran would not yield to military or economic pressure.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused Washington of abandoning diplomacy in favor of military confrontation whenever negotiations appear possible. Writing on X, Araghchi said Iranians would “never bow to pressure” and claimed Iran’s missile inventory and launcher capacity were now at “120%” of pre-conflict levels following the war that began on Feb. 28. He also declared Iran’s readiness to defend its people stood at “1,000%.”
Separately, Iranian lawmaker Ebrahim Rezaei mocked the United States in a social media post, referring to it as the “United States of Idiots.” Rezaei claimed US naval forces would not be able to cross the Strait of Hormuz “even with the entire navy” and accused Washington of behaving “like a spoiled child.”
The remarks came after renewed exchanges between Iranian and US forces following accusations from both sides of violating a month-old ceasefire linked to the conflict triggered by US-Israeli strikes on Iran earlier this year. US President Donald Trump said three US Navy destroyers were attacked while transiting the Strait of Hormuz, while Iran’s military accused US forces of targeting Iranian vessels.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei also posted a warning in Arabic on X, writing: “If you see the lion’s fangs bared, do not think the lion is smiling.”
Meanwhile, Iranian lawmaker Fadahossein Maleki said Tehran neither trusted negotiations with Washington nor accepted the current ceasefire, alleging that the US was waging an “economic war” through pressure linked to the Strait of Hormuz, inflation and rising prices. He warned that Iran expected additional US measures beyond economic pressure and maritime tensions.
70 Days Internet BlackoutA nationwide internet blackout in Iran has entered its 70th consecutive day, according to internet monitoring organization NetBlocks, which said disruptions have now lasted for more than 1,650 hours.
In a statement on Friday, NetBlocks said restricted connectivity continued to heavily impact ordinary Iranians, warning that the prolonged limitations were affecting small businesses, students, people with disabilities and the broader public.
The group said internet access across Iran remained severely restricted amid ongoing regional tensions and heightened security concerns linked to the conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel earlier this year.
Iran has experienced repeated internet shutdowns and communication disruptions during periods of unrest and military escalation, with rights groups and digital watchdogs raising concerns over access to information and the economic impact of prolonged connectivity restrictions.
