Iranian President Dismisses Trump's 'Wipe Off Map' Claim as Desperate Illusion

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has issued a sharp rebuke to former U.S. President Donald Trump's recent claim that the United States had "wiped Iran off the face of the earth." Pezeshkian characterized the statement as an "illusion demonstrating desperation and helplessness."

In a post on social media platform X, Pezeshkian wrote, "The illusion of wiping Iran off the face of the earth shows desperation and helplessness in the face of the will of a nation that makes history. Threats and terror only further unite the Iranian people." He vowed a firm response to any aggression, stating, "We will give a crushing response on the spot to threats."

The Iranian leader also addressed regional security concerns, specifically regarding the Strait of Hormuz. He asserted that the vital waterway remains open to vessels from all nations, except those attacking Iranian territory.

The controversy stems from a post by Donald Trump on his Truth Social platform on March 17. In it, he claimed comprehensive military success against Iran: "We have crushed Iran's armed forces: their navy is destroyed, their air force is destroyed, their air defense and radar systems are destroyed, and perhaps most importantly—their leaders at virtually every level have been eliminated and can never threaten us, our allies in the Middle East, or the world again."

A few days later, Trump suggested that the U.S. Was close to achieving its objectives in the Middle East and could wind down military operations against Iran. He listed these goals as the complete destruction of Iran's missile potential—including launchers—the annihilation of its defense industry, and the elimination of its naval and air forces along with anti-aircraft weaponry.