US ‘running out of cards’ in economic standoff with Iran: Qalibaf

TABNAK, Apr. 27 -  Speaker of the Iranian Parliament Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said the US has exhausted much of its leverage in an economic confrontation with Iran, arguing that Tehran still holds significant “cards” to play.

News ID: 7356

Date: 27 April 2026 - 14:09

In a post on his X account on Sunday night, Qalibaf outlined the “economic playing cards” of both sides, dismissing claims by US officials about their dominance.

He presented an equation comparing Iran’s supply-side tools—including the Strait of Hormuz, the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, and oil pipelines—with US demand-side measures such as strategic petroleum reserve releases, demand management, and anticipated price adjustments.

He noted that some of Iran’s options remain unused, while the United States has already deployed or partially used several of its tools.

“They brag about the cards. Let's see: Supply Cards=Demand Cards

SOH (partly played)+BEM(unplayed)+Pipelines(unplayed)= Inv Release (played)+Demand Destruction (partly played)+More Price Adj (to come),” Qalibaf wrote.

Highlighting US economic constraints, he added that rising energy demand during the summer vacation season should also be factored in—unless Washington intends to “cancel” it.

“Add summer vacation to the right unless they want to cancel it for the US!” the Iranian Parliament speaker said.