‘You’re Fired’: Iran taunts Trump with his own signature phrase amid escalating crisis

A spokesperson for Iran’s powerful military command has openly mocked United States President Donald Trump, issuing a direct and provocative message as tensions over the Strait of Hormuz continue to escalate.

Ebrahim Zolfaghari, spokesman for Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, delivered the taunt in a video message in English, echoing a phrase famously associated with Trump.

“Hey, Trump, you’re fired! You’re familiar with this sentence. Thank you for your attention to this matter,” Zolfaghari said.

The phrase “You’re fired” was popularised by Trump during his time as host of the television show The Apprentice, which premiered on NBC in 2004.

It became a defining feature of his public persona as a hard-nosed business figure before his entry into politics.

During his political campaign, Trump also used the phrase in reference to Kamala Harris, telling supporters they had “had enough” and declaring, “Kamala, you are fired! Get out of here!”

The expression became a pop culture phenomenon, closely tied to Trump’s image, especially during the show’s boardroom segments where he would dismiss contestants with the now-famous line.

In 2004, he even filed a trademark application for the catchphrase.

Zolfaghari’s remarks come amid a growing standoff between Tehran and Washington following a 48-hour ultimatum issued by Trump, demanding the full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil transit route.

In a post shared on Truth Social, Trump warned that failure to comply would result in severe military action against Iran’s energy infrastructure.

“If Iran doesn’t FULLY OPEN, WITHOUT THREAT, the Strait of Hormuz, within 48 HOURS from this exact point in time, the United States of America will hit and obliterate their various power plants, starting with the biggest one first,” he wrote.

Iranian officials responded with threats of “punishing retaliatory strikes,” warning that any attack on its facilities would be met with coordinated assaults on American and Israeli assets across the region.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) stated that U.S. or Israeli energy, IT, and desalination infrastructure would become immediate targets if hostilities escalate.

“Do not doubt that we will do this,” the Guard declared in a statement broadcast on state television.

Iran also warned it could move to completely shut down the Strait of Hormuz if attacked, a move that could have severe consequences for the global economy.

The waterway handles roughly 20 percent of the world’s oil supply, estimated at between 17 and 20 million barrels per day.

The ongoing conflict, now stretching into its fourth week, has already disrupted maritime activity in the Gulf, with limited vessel movement reported in the strait despite Tehran’s claims that it remains open.

State-linked Iranian media also claimed that air defence systems intercepted and shot down a reconnaissance drone described as “Israeli-American” over Tehran before it completed its mission.

Meanwhile, Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, blamed U.S. military actions for worsening instability and disrupting shipping routes in the region.

With oil prices surging to between $110 and $115 per barrel an increase of more than 50 percent the crisis is sending shockwaves through global markets and raising fears of a broader regional conflict involving the United States, Israel, and key Gulf states.