India, March 23 -- As Iranian missiles continue to streak across the Strait of Hormuz, and US bombers pound targets around Tehran, a different kind of warfare has been playing out on the timelines of Iran's official embassies.

Since the United States and Israel launched coordinated strikes on Iran on February 28, Iran's diplomatic missions - ranging from South Africa's Pretoria to Kabul in Afghanistan to the consulate in India's Hyderabad - have weaponised dark humour, viral memes, and pop-culture references.

On Monday, when US President Donald Trump claimed he's held talks over two days with Iran towards ending the hostilities, Iran's embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan, was among the first to respond. It mocked Trump.

In a caustic response...