“Skipping Meals”: Speaker Qalibaf Slams U.S. Economy in War of Words with Trump

Iranian Parliamentary Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf escalated his rhetorical offensive against the White House on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, claiming that the American public is “skipping meals” due to the economic fallout of the month-long war. The comments, aimed at undermining President Donald Trump’s domestic support, come as the two nations remain locked in a tense “shadow negotiation” over a potential ceasefire.

The irony of Qalibaf’s “trolling” is not lost on regional analysts, as the Trump administration recently identified him as a key figure in back-channel talks—a claim the Iranian leadership continues to flatly deny.

The Economic Narrative: Gas and Groceries

In a speech broadcast on state-affiliated media, Qalibaf attempted to flip the narrative of “maximum pressure” back onto Washington.

• The Claim: “While the American leadership bragged about crushing our economy, it is the American people who are now skipping meals to pay for gas,” Qalibaf stated. He specifically cited the “unprecedented” rise in U.S. diesel and gasoline prices, which have surged by over 40% in some states since the start of Operation Epic Fury.
• Domestic Agitation: Qalibaf’s remarks appear designed to resonate with reports from CBS News and other outlets detailing the “ripple effect” of the war on U.S. farmers and the working class, who are grappling with $7-per-gallon diesel in states like California.
• The “Warmonger” Label: The Speaker accused Trump of “burning the wealth of Americans” to fuel a “failed crusade” in the Middle East, echoing the anti-interventionist sentiments occasionally voiced by the President’s own political base.

The “Qalibaf Paradox”

The U.S. State Department and President Trump have recently suggested that the path to peace involves direct dialogue with Qalibaf, whom they view as a relatively “pragmatic” hardliner compared to the IRGC’s top brass.

1. The Trump Claim: In a recent Truth Social post, Trump suggested that the U.S. was “making progress” in talks with Qalibaf, whom he described as someone who “understands the art of a deal.”
2. The Tehran Denial: Qalibaf has publicly ridiculed these reports, calling them “fabricated American psychological warfare.” His daily “trolling” of the President is seen as an effort to maintain his “revolutionary credentials” at home and avoid being labeled a collaborator by the IRGC.
3. The “Islamabad Track”: While the U.S. points to Qalibaf, the Iranian Foreign Ministry maintains that all legitimate negotiations are flowing through the Pakistani-mediated 15-point peace plan.

Strategic Trolling or Signal?

Diplomatic observers are divided on whether Qalibaf’s insults represent a genuine breakdown in communication or a calculated “good cop, bad cop” strategy.

• Hardliner Pressure: By attacking Trump’s economic record, Qalibaf shields himself from accusations that he is “soft” on the Great Satan, especially following the recent IRGC ultimatum targeting 18 U.S. companies.
• Market Sensitivity: Qalibaf’s focus on energy prices is a direct jab at one of Trump’s most sensitive political vulnerabilities—the $100+ per barrel oil price that has fueled domestic inflation and disrupted over 11,000 global flights.

Export to Sheets

The “April 6” Threshold

As the April 6 deadline for a regional settlement nears, the war of words is reaching a fever pitch. While the U.S. maintains that the Iranian regime is “nearing complete destruction,” Qalibaf’s daily broadsides suggest that Tehran still believes it can “outwait” the American public’s tolerance for high energy prices and economic disruption.