Iran Mocks US ‘Stone Age’ Threat, War of Words Escalates Online Tensions between the United States and Iran flared once again after Pete Hegseth warned that Iran could be pushed “back to the Stone Age,” triggering a sharp and sarcastic response from Tehran.Reacting on X, the Iranian embassy in South Africa ridiculed the remark by invoking the country’s ancient legacy. “Stone Age? At a time when you were still in caves searching for fire, we were inscribing human rights on the Cyrus Cylinder,” the embassy wrote. It further highlighted Iran’s resilience, noting that it had survived invasions by Alexander the Great and the Mongols, adding that Iran is “not just a country, but a civilisation.”
Social media backlash and diplomatic jabs
The exchange quickly gained traction online, with users offering mixed reactions. A community note attached to Hegseth’s post suggested that such direct threats could violate international law and even amount to a “war crime.”The rhetoric echoes earlier remarks by former US President Donald Trump, who had issued similar warnings in speeches and on social media. Iranian officials have consistently responded with mockery and criticism.Iranian diplomatic accounts across different countries joined the online exchange, posting memes and sharp comments targeting US leadership. The embassy in South Africa mocked Trump’s understanding of history, while other posts used humour to portray American threats as exaggerated.The episode highlights how geopolitical tensions are increasingly spilling onto social media platforms, where governments engage in public sparring. As the war of words intensifies, such exchanges continue to shape global narratives and public perception beyond traditional diplomacy.
