Zillar Barta Desk,New Delhi, : Iran has turned to Bollywood humour to take a swipe at US President Donald Trump, with the Iranian Embassy in Tunisia sharing a viral meme featuring Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar amid escalating tensions over the Strait of Hormuz.

The meme was posted after Iran claimed that its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) had captured a US unmanned underwater vessel near the entrance to the strategically important Strait of Hormuz. The United States, however, disputed Iran's description of the incident, saying the underwater drone was an older model that had malfunctioned and was not carrying sensitive information.

The Iranian embassy's post featured Akshay Kumar in contrasting emotional expressions and carried the caption: “Lost an underwater [drone]. Oil is nearing $100. Elections are coming. How’s it going, Trump?”

The reference to oil prices is particularly significant. Brent crude has climbed above $100 a barrel amid the intensifying confrontation between Washington and Tehran and disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most important energy corridors.

The meme quickly attracted attention online, particularly in India because of its use of a familiar Bollywood face. Social media users reacted to Iran's unusual use of Indian popular culture in a geopolitical dispute, with some jokingly describing Akshay Kumar as an unexpected “geopolitical asset.”

Iranian diplomatic accounts have previously used Indian film clips and memes to ridicule the United States. In April, Iran's consulate in Mumbai also used a scene from the Bollywood comedy Dhamaal in a social-media post targeting Washington.

Meanwhile, tensions around the Strait of Hormuz continue to intensify. Iran has claimed attacks on vessels near the waterway, while the United States has maintained pressure on Iranian oil shipments. The continuing confrontation has raised concerns over global energy supplies and the possibility of further oil-price increases.

The latest meme highlights how social media and popular culture are increasingly being used alongside traditional diplomatic messaging, turning a serious geopolitical confrontation into a highly shareable online moment.