Iran touts regional security bloc, alternative trade to blunt US pressure

Iranian Parliament Speaker and chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf sarcastically derided the economic and foreign policy strategies of the United States administration.

Ghalibaf took to social media to heavily criticise escalating US financial pressures.

He mocked the "frozen" policies coming from Washington, warning that they would only leave the American economy stagnant and claiming that the "Iran boomerang" remains in motion.

He took direct aim at high-ranking officials — specifically targeting Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth—stating that they are "way out of their league" and completely unequipped for high-stakes diplomacy.

He dismissed their administration's approach by telling Washington to stop expecting sudden diplomatic miracles.

Rebuffing sanctions

Ghalibaf's sarcastic remarks surfaced as the US Treasury announced what it called the harshest financial sanctions in history against Iran.

Instead of bowing to the pressure, Ghalibaf used a diplomatic visit to Iraq to dismiss the efficacy of the measures.

Cognitive warfare

He claimed the US and Israel have resorted to economic and "cognitive" warfare because they realised they cannot prevail in a direct military confrontation.

He asserted that Iran will bypass these "unjust sanctions" by deepening economic ties with neighboring countries and moving toward bilateral trade using national currencies rather than the US dollar.

Regional security 'bloc'

He announced that Tehran has already received "numerous messages" from neighbouring countries regarding a new, independent regional security order that bypasses US influence entirely.

Iran is also trying to link security with trade.

Ghalibaf's latest statement specifically mentioned economic cooperation alongside security arrangements.

Tehran wants neighbouring states to have an economic stake in keeping regional trade, energy flows and transportation networks functioning, of which the proposed regional approach to the Strait of Hormuz is the foremost example.

Oman has proposed a regional management system involving Iran and other parties, with voluntary fees for navigation and safety services, modeled partly on arrangements around the Strait of Malacca, Reuters reported.

Historically, Ghalibaf has favoured aggressive public posturing during tense standoffs; earlier in May 2026, he famously used his social media platform to mock a pause in US naval operations near the Strait of Hormuz by declaring that the operation "failed".