Iran’s Parliament Speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, stated that Tehran still holds significant “winning cards” in response to remarks by US President Donald Trump, framing the confrontation as an economic pressure equation between the two sides.
In a post published on the platform X, Ghalibaf presented a structured breakdown of the economic leverage available to both Iran and the United States.
Iran’s Strategic Pressure Points
Ghalibaf identified three primary pressure levers that Iran possesses, emphasising that not all have been fully activated:
- Strait of Hormuz: only partially utilised
- Bab al Mandeb Strait: not yet activated
- Oil pipeline networks: not yet activated
He argued that Iran retains the operational capability to disrupt maritime navigation through the strategically critical Bab al Mandeb Strait, located south of Yemen.
In addition, he highlighted Iran’s influence over regional oil pipeline routes that pass through territories aligned with its allies. According to his assessment, these channels represent untapped pressure tools that have not yet been deployed in the ongoing economic and military standoff with the United States.
Limited US Economic Measures
On the American side, Ghalibaf pointed to what he described as a narrow set of economic pressure tactics already in play:
- Release of strategic petroleum reserves to stabilise markets: already implemented
- Demand management and reduced oil consumption: partially implemented
He added that the United States is now effectively waiting for price increases without introducing new mechanisms, stating that “they are now silently anticipating rising prices”.
Warning Linked to Seasonal Energy Demand
Ghalibaf concluded with a pointed warning, noting that rising energy demand during the US summer holiday period should be factored into the equation.
He implied that this seasonal pressure could further strain US economic positioning, unless authorities were prepared to suppress or offset domestic demand, an outcome he framed as unlikely.
Strategic Framing of Economic Confrontation
The statement reflects a broader Iranian narrative that positions energy routes and regional infrastructure as central tools of geopolitical leverage. By framing the situation as an equation of pressure points, Ghalibaf signalled that escalation pathways remain available and, in his view, have not yet been fully exercised.
