Ghalibaf says US has exhausted oil leverage as Iran retains key strategic options

In a pointed response to recent statements from US officials, Ghalibaf said Washington’s ability to maneuver in the oil market has been significantly reduced, contrasting it with what he described as Iran’s still-untapped strategic capacity.

Writing on social media, he argued that the global energy balance remains intact, asserting that Iran maintains several influential “supply-side” tools, including partial control over the Strait of Hormuz, alongside other potential levers such as the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and key oil pipelines that have yet to be fully utilized.

Ghalibaf contrasted this with what he described as the United States’ reliance on “demand-side” measures, noting that Washington has already drawn on its Strategic Petroleum Reserve and taken steps to curb consumption, leaving it with fewer immediate options.

He suggested that upcoming seasonal demand, particularly during the US summer travel period, could further strain American energy policy if tensions escalate, potentially leading to higher fuel prices and domestic economic pressure.

Analysts interpreted Ghalibaf’s remarks as a signal that Iran believes it retains flexibility in responding to future developments, while warning that further escalation could carry economic consequences for the United States, particularly at the consumer level.

Iranian officials have consistently emphasized the country’s geographic and strategic position along major global energy transit routes, framing it as a key factor in its ability to influence market dynamics in times of crisis.