Iran has responded to threats made by US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth regarding returning the country to the "Stone Age."
Operative Information Center-OMM reports that the state-run IRNA news agency issued the response following recent escalations in rhetoric. In a symbolic gesture, the agency suggested the restoration of the country within the historical borders of the Achaemenid Empire. The publication featured a map of Iran's so-called "Stone Age," which encompasses vast territories across neighboring continents, accompanied by the provocative question: "Do you insist on its restoration?"
The exchange follows recent statements from the Pentagon under the administration of US President Donald Trump, where Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth signaled a hardline stance toward Tehran's regional activities. The Iranian response utilizes historical symbolism to project strength, referencing an era when the Persian Empire was one of the largest in human history, stretching from the Balkans and Eastern Europe to the Indus Valley.
The Achaemenid Empire, founded by Cyrus the Great in the 6th century BC, represents a significant point of national pride for Iran and is frequently cited in geopolitical discourse to emphasize the country's deep historical roots in the region. This diplomatic friction comes amid heightened tensions in the Middle East, as the international community closely monitors the security policies of the United States and the strategic responses from Tehran.
