'You need more education': Iran consulate rebukes Elon Musk over Strait of Hormuz name debate – The Business Standard
Tuesday
June 09, 2026
The Consulate General of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Mumbai publicly challenged comments by billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk about the origins of the Strait of Hormuz, sparking an online debate over the history of one of the world’s most strategically important waterways.
Musk wrote on social media platform X that the waterway was named after Ahura Mazda, the primary deity in Zoroastrianism, says First Post.
The Iranian consulate responded critically to the post, disputing both the terminology and the historical claim. In its reply, the consulate noted that the correct term is the “Strait of Hormuz” rather than “Straits” and suggested Musk study Persian civilization more carefully.
In a subsequent response, the consulate said Musk needed “more education” on the subject.
The exchange prompted broader discussion among social media users about the origins of the waterway’s name. Some participants supported a connection to Zoroastrian history, while others argued that the name is derived from the ancient Kingdom of Hormuz or from other historical and linguistic sources.
The Strait of Hormuz, located between Iran and Oman, is a vital shipping route through which a significant share of global oil and gas exports passes, making it one of the world’s most closely watched maritime chokepoints.
Elon Musk / Iran / Strait of Hormuz
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