Trump Posts Inverted Map of Iran as Tehran Declares Strait of Hormuz Closed
U.S. President Donald Trump posted an inverted AI map of Iran amid rising Gulf tensions. Iran declared the Strait of Hormuz closed, prompting warnings from Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. officials.
Geographical Blunder in Presidential Post
U.S. President Donald Trump sparked social media attention after posting an AI-generated map of Iran that contained severe geographical errors. The map appeared completely inverted: Israel was placed to the east, Iran to the west, the Red Sea was depicted north of the Mediterranean, and Iran was positioned south of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
The post was part of a rapid succession of AI-generated images shared by Trump. Other posts included an image of a fighter jet flying over the bombed Iranian oil hub of Kharg Island, a chart showing the collapse of the Iranian currency, and an image of Trump depicted as the legendary wrestler Hulk Hogan.
Escalation in the Strait of Hormuz
The social media activity coincided with a sharp military escalation in the Persian Gulf. Pro-Iranian militias in Iraq reported that Iranian missiles were fired at vessels allegedly "violating regulations" in the Strait of Hormuz.
Mohsen Rezaei, the Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, issued a defiant statement:
"The Strait of Hormuz is completely closed. Trump's claim that the strait is open is a big lie. In the coming days, a restricted zone will be declared outside Hormuz, a corridor where entry and exit are managed by Iran. Any ship entering this new zone will be placed on the sanctions list."
Rezaei added that Iran has not yet made a decision to sink American vessels covertly crossing the strait due to environmental concerns over oil spills. He also claimed that Iran conducted its first test of an anti-destroyer missile against a U.S. warship over the weekend.
Washington Signals Shift as Netanyahu Warns Tehran
U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright signaled a significant drop in expectations for a diplomatic breakthrough, telling ABC News that a nuclear deal might have to wait for a future Iranian administration. Wright suggested that the U.S. could shift toward directly destroying Iran's nuclear capabilities.
In Jerusalem, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the cabinet during a Rosh Hashanah toast, warning Tehran against any miscalculations:
"We are determined to defend ourselves, and we are determined to strike our enemies. Iran avoids attacking us, and they know why. Of course, they could make a mistake and attack. If they do, they will suffer a blow they cannot even imagine. I say to our enemies: do not mess with us. This regime's end is near; it is weak and fighting for its life."
