Trump and Qalibaf exchange sharp remarks amid rising US-Iran tensions

US President Donald Trump and Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf have exchanged sharp remarks amid continuing tensions between the United States and Iran.

WASHINGTON/TEHRAN: US President Donald Trump and Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf have exchanged sharp remarks amid continuing tensions between the United States and Iran.

Trump said Iran was being “completely destroyed” and shared what he presented as a statement attributed to Ghalibaf. The statement reportedly claimed that Iran was facing food shortages and suggested that military strength would not be enough if people were struggling with hunger.

Ghalibaf responded by mocking Trump’s political slogan and changing it to “Make America Hungry Again.” His response came as Iranian officials continued to challenge US statements about the country’s economic and military situation.

The Iranian parliament speaker also claimed that millions of Americans were experiencing food insecurity. He said the situation was not comparable to what he described as Trump’s claims about Iran and argued that food insecurity affected a significant proportion of the US population.

The exchange has added another layer to the ongoing confrontation between Washington and Tehran, with both sides continuing to use strong rhetoric while tensions remain high.

Iran’s parliament also accused Trump of misrepresenting Ghalibaf’s remarks and attempting to conceal what it described as a military failure. Iranian lawmakers maintained that the original comments had been presented out of context.

The latest verbal confrontation comes as the United States has announced additional sanctions against Iran. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has described the new measures as among the toughest sanctions imposed on Tehran.

Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts and regional discussions over the Iran conflict remain ongoing. Pakistan has also been involved in efforts to encourage dialogue and reduce tensions between the United States and Iran.

The broader dispute has raised concerns about the potential impact of continued confrontation on regional stability, global energy markets and civilian populations.

For now, the Trump-Qalibaf exchange reflects the deep political divide between Washington and Tehran, with both sides defending their positions and challenging the other’s portrayal of economic and military conditions.

As diplomatic efforts continue, further statements from US and Iranian officials are likely to shape the international debate over the future of relations between the two countries.