Iran on Wednesday mocked U.S. President Donald Trump's claim about a "new regime" in Tehran, calling it an "April Fools' joke." It also rejected his statement that Iran had requested a ceasefire, describing the claim as "false and baseless."
Iran's Consulate General in Mumbai took a swipe at Trump's remarks, saying, "On April Fools' Day, it's almost poetic that someone still manages to outdo the jokes; talking about a 'new' Iran president when the same Iranian has been in office all along."
It further added, "Reality check: presidents aren't replaced by tweets... that's what elections are for."
Separately, Iran's foreign ministry firmly dismissed Trump's assertion that Tehran had sought a ceasefire. Spokesperson Esmail Baqaei reiterated that the claims were "false and baseless."
The response came hours after Trump said Iran had approached the U.S. for a ceasefire and that Washington would consider it only if the Strait of Hormuz was reopened. In a post on Truth Social, he wrote that Iran's "new regime president" had requested a ceasefire and suggested the U.S. would act once the key waterway was "open, free, and clear."
Iranian lawmaker Ebrahim Azizi also warned that access to the Strait could be restricted under new rules, signalling continued tensions over the crucial route.
The ongoing conflict has significantly disrupted global energy markets. The Strait of Hormuz, through which nearly one-fifth of the world's oil and LNG supplies pass, has been severely affected, raising concerns of wider economic fallout.
In the United States, average gas prices have crossed $4 a gallon for the first time since 2022, with analysts warning that higher fuel costs could soon impact prices of everyday goods.
Even as tensions remain high, Trump has given mixed signals on the conflict's duration. In an interview, he said the U.S. would exit Iran "quickly" without providing a timeline, adding that Washington could monitor Iran's nuclear sites via satellite.
Earlier this week, he also claimed fuel prices would "come tumbling down" once the war ends, suggesting it could happen within "two to three weeks."
Trump is expected to deliver what the White House described as an "important update on Iran" in a speech later on Wednesday in Washington, as domestic pressure mounts over the conflict and its economic impact.
