Qalibaf: Iran Will Defeat the US in a ‘Total Economic War’

Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, Speaker of the Iranian Parliament, claimed in remarks reported by the state news agency IRNA that Iran will defeat the United States in a "total economic war." These comments come as the Iranian rial has plummeted to a historic low, with the exchange rate reaching over two million rials to the US dollar.

In an attempt to bolster public confidence, Qalibaf urged citizens to support the government despite the ongoing economic difficulties. He claimed that the government has taken effective steps to manage the country and is working to address its weaknesses. The parliamentary speaker emphasized that supporting the government does not mean ignoring its shortcomings, but rather trusting it to better serve the people.

This stance comes as the US administration has shifted its economic pressure strategy against Tehran. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent recently announced the start of an operation aimed at economically isolating Iran and targeting its oil revenues. Washington intends to increase pressure on the Iranian economy by reducing Tehran's ability to sell oil, moving away from a reliance solely on military options.

The collapse of the rial to its lowest historical level has severely impacted the purchasing power of citizens and businesses. The rising cost of imported goods, driven by the weakening currency, has intensified economic pressure on Iranian households and exacerbated the challenges facing the government in managing the livelihood crisis.