Iran’s Consulate General in Hyderabad on Thursday strongly defended India and China after a controversial remark describing the countries as “hellholes” surfaced in a video amplified by US President Donald
Trump.
Responding to the controversy, the consulate said in a post on X, “China and India are the cradles of civilisation.”
“In fact, the hell-hole is where its war-criminal president threatened to decimate the civilisation in Iran,” it added, referring to Trump.
The statement underscored Tehran’s rejection of the derogatory characterisation and positioned India and China as historically significant civilisations.
WHAT TRIGGERED THE CONTROVERSY
The diplomatic response followed Trump’s resharing of a video clip and a letter featuring conservative commentator Michael Savage, in which he referenced US immigration laws and birthright citizenship.
In the clip, Savage alleged that immigrants exploit the system by entering the United States late in pregnancy, claiming, “A baby here becomes an instant citizen, and then they bring the entire family in from China or India or some other hellhole on the planet.”
WHAT SAVAGE SAID ON BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP
In the video, Savage criticised legal arguments presented before the US Supreme Court, expressing frustration over what he described as excessive “legalese.”
He argued that the issue of birthright citizenship was being framed narrowly as a legal matter rather than a broader public concern.
He further claimed that such immigration practices allow demographic changes in the US, while attacking legal institutions and advocacy groups.
Savage described the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) as “the head of the snake” and accused it of attempting to “turn America into a cesspool.”
Savage also questioned the relevance of constitutional interpretations in a modern context, stating that the Constitution was written before developments such as air travel and the internet, and suggesting that current frameworks are outdated.
Trump’s decision to amplify the clip drew attention internationally, particularly because of the language used to describe India and China.
His repost came amid ongoing debates in the US over immigration and citizenship laws.
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