Iranian Parliament Speaker Mocks US Treasury Secretary’s Economic Outlook

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf used his X account to ridicule US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent after Bessent claimed the US economy was entering a “liftoff phase” and that oil prices could fall to $40–$50 per barrel. Qalibaf’s post, posted on a Saturday, framed the Treasury secretary’s optimism as premature and pointed to a series of economic pressures facing Washington.

Qalibaf Mocks Bessent’s ‘Liftoff’ Claims, Highlights US Economic Pressures

Bessent made the remarks during an interview with Fox News host Lara Trump, noting that the US economy was “in the liftoff phase” ahead of the midterm elections and that oil prices might drop from the current $80–$90 range to $40–$50. He linked the higher prices to Iran’s restrictions on energy flow in the Persian Gulf, which Tehran imposed in response to what it described as US aggression. The interview occurred roughly two months before the US midterm elections and five months after a cease-fire that ended hostilities in mid-April.

Qalibaf ridicules Bessent’s suggestion that US economy is doing well

• US diesel prices had reached a record high.

Qalibaf Mocks Bessent’s ‘Liftoff’ Claims, Highlights US Economic Pressures

• Japan remained the largest foreign holder of US Treasury securities, with holdings of about $1.12 trillion in June.

Qalibaf Mocks Bessent’s ‘Liftoff’ Claims, Highlights US Economic Pressures

• Norway’s sovereign-wealth fund had proposed cutting its US Treasury allocation by nearly $80 billion.

Qalibaf Mocks Bessent’s ‘Liftoff’ Claims, Highlights US Economic Pressures

• US military recruitment rates were declining.

Qalibaf Mocks Bessent’s ‘Liftoff’ Claims, Highlights US Economic Pressures

• The Federal Reserve’s “dot plot” showed red warning signals, suggesting potential interest-rate cuts.

Qalibaf Mocks Bessent’s ‘Liftoff’ Claims, Highlights US Economic Pressures

These points were presented as “warm-ups” required before any genuine economic “liftoff.”

Qalibaf Mocks Bessent’s ‘Liftoff’ Claims, Highlights US Economic Pressures

Qalibaf’s critique arrives amid growing concern within the US Republican Party that the joint US-Israel stance toward Iran could hurt the party’s prospects in the upcoming midterms. By highlighting fuel-price pressures, bond-holder sell-offs, and recruitment challenges, the speaker seeks to frame US economic policy as vulnerable, thereby amplifying Tehran’s narrative that US actions are destabilizing both regional and domestic markets.

Qalibaf ridicules Bessent’s suggestion that US economy is doing well

“Diesel ATH: Short it…Your biggest creditor dumping: Good luck with Yentervention++NOR cutting $80B: Rename Norway to Americaway…Low recruitment: Debt-to-Service w/ DO[Israel's]W, per your puppeteers…Oh. Fed's dot plot flashing red,” — Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf

Qalibaf Mocks Bessent’s ‘Liftoff’ Claims, Highlights US Economic Pressures