Iranian Leader Ghalibaf Tries a Desperate Bluster, Gets Decimated by Bessent
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf responded with defiance to the U.S. naval blockade severely impacting Iran's oil exports and economy, but his comments were met with counterstatements from U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent emphasizing continued economic pressure. The blockade has reportedly halted all major Iranian oil shipments, contributing to soaring inflation, currency devaluation, and widespread job losses within Iran. U.S. officials claim the campaign has cut off $6 billion in revenue and is targeting assets of Iranian elites, including those linked to the IRGC.
- ▪The U.S. blockade has stopped 42 tankers, cutting off approximately $6 billion in revenue for Iran, according to CENTCOM.
- ▪Iran’s oil exports, which previously brought in $191 million daily, have effectively halted with no confirmed shipments reaching buyers like China.
- ▪Iran’s currency hit a record low of 1.8 million rials to the dollar, while inflation reached 67% year-on-year by mid-April 2026.
- ▪Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced the freezing of overseas assets belonging to IRGC members, including retirement funds and property in the South of France.
- ▪Iranian officials, including Ghalibaf and Mohsen Rezaee, have publicly rejected the blockade but also signaled growing domestic strain and potential retaliation.
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Iranian Leader Ghalibaf Tries a Desperate Bluster, Gets Decimated by Bessent By Nick Arama | 8:07 PM on April 29, 2026 The opinions expressed by contributors are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of RedState.com. AP Photo/Evan Vucci The Iranian regime really is lost at this point. The blockade is choking them out, and their economy is collapsing.Now, Iran is struggling to ship oil and other commodities that generated most of its revenue, shipping records show. As recently as March, Iran exported 1.85 million barrels of crude oil a day, worth $191 million at international prices. There is no evidence any Iranian oil cargo has breached the U.S.
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