Iran’s Speaker says Bessent and Hegseth are ‘way out of their league’
Developed over time first seen 2 months ago
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf criticised US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth on 18 August, arguing that Washington’s escalating pressure would not secure concessions from Tehran beyond those envisaged in a previous framework. In a post on X, Ghalibaf said the two officials were “way out of their league” and accused the US of expecting Iran to yield through pressure. His remarks were directed at efforts to bring Iran back to peace negotiations and to secure movement through the Strait of Hormuz.
The exchange came after Bessent said the United States was preparing unprecedented economic isolation measures against Iran, alongside a continuing naval blockade of Iranian ports. Hegseth had separately said the US Navy could sustain the blockade indefinitely. The Hill reported that President Donald Trump said no talks with Iran were under way at that point, leaving the conflict and negotiations without an evident immediate resolution. US Treasury statements show that the administration had already expanded sanctions targeting Iranian financial, shipping and procurement networks.
- Ghalibaf said increased US pressure would not force Iran into additional concessions.
- He criticised Bessent and Hegseth amid stalled efforts to restart negotiations.
- The dispute centred on US sanctions, the naval blockade and the Strait of Hormuz.