Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Ghalibaf has warned the United States that the “rules of the game” have changed, threatening a “faster, heavier and more painful response” to any further attacks against Iranian interests and security. His warning came a day after the US military struck three Iranian oil tankers in the Gulf. Washington said the strikes were carried out in response to ballistic missile attacks by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) against two US Navy vessels.
Ghalibaf said Washington should understand “before it is too late” that the rules of the game had changed, arguing that Iran had demonstrated its ability to threaten US interests across the region while maintaining pressure on the strategically important Strait of Hormuz. Iran also claimed on Sunday that it had struck an unmanned US vessel attempting to enter the strait. The US military initially did not immediately confirm the claim and later dismissed it as false, according to the .
The latest exchange marks another escalation in a conflict that began with US and Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28. Although a ceasefire was announced in June, sporadic clashes have continued, while diplomatic efforts to revive negotiations have stalled. Alongside the military confrontation, Tehran is facing mounting economic pressure from US sanctions and restrictions on Iranian oil exports.
Ghalibaf said Iran’s “main battle” also involved production and people’s livelihoods, citing currency fluctuations, inflation, unemployment and difficulties in managing domestic markets. Iranian Economy Minister Ali Madanizadeh, meanwhile, said Tehran would address the country’s economic problems through domestic reforms rather than changing its policies in response to US pressure. Despite sanctions and restrictions, Iran has continued seeking ways to maintain its oil exports, including through a so-called shadow fleet used to transport Iranian crude to overseas buyers.
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