TEHRAN, IRAN — In a fiery address on Saturday, March 28, 2026, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf dismissed recent U.S. claims of “productive” ceasefire talks as a coordinated psychological operation designed to artificially suppress global energy prices.
Ghalibaf’s remarks come as a direct rebuttal to President Trump’s recent assertions that Tehran is “begging” for a deal and that secret negotiations are progressing behind the scenes.
The “Fake News” Accusation
Ghalibaf, a veteran political figure and former IRGC commander, took to social media and state television to characterize Washington’s diplomatic updates as market manipulation tactics.
“The U.S. has spammed so much fake news trying to push energy prices down that the market’s just numb now,” Ghalibaf stated. “Keep going, nobody’s buying it anymore. The real prices will show up anyway.”
Key Claims from the Speaker:
- Market Desensitization: Ghalibaf argued that the global oil market has stopped reacting to “optimistic” White House leaks because they lack a basis in reality.
- Denial of Direct Talks: He explicitly denied that any direct negotiations have taken place, calling such reports a “quagmire” the U.S. and Israel are using to escape the consequences of their industrial strikes.
- Price Volatility: He warned that despite the U.S. “10-day pause” on energy infrastructure strikes, the underlying reality of the Strait of Hormuz closure will eventually drive prices to record highs that “propaganda cannot hide.”
Context: The Trump vs. Ghalibaf Narrative War
The war of words has created a “split screen” reality for global investors and the public:
| The Trump Narrative | The Ghalibaf / Tehran Response |
| Talks are going “GREAT” and are “very productive.” | Reports of talks are “fake news” and “psychological warfare.” |
| Iran requested a 10-day pause to review a 15-point deal. | The pause is a U.S. “climbdown” to manage domestic inflation. |
| “A most respected” senior leader is talking to U.S. envoys. | “No negotiations have been held”; all officials stand behind the Leader. |
Market Impact: A Weary Trading Floor
Financial analysts have noted that Ghalibaf’s assessment of a “numb” market carries some weight. While oil prices initially dipped following Trump’s “very good talks” post on Truth Social, they have since seen “unusual bursts” of volatility.
- Insider Trading Allegations: Democratic lawmakers and industry watchdogs in the U.S. have raised alarms over suspicious trading spikes that occurred just minutes before the President’s tweets, suggesting some may be profiting from the “fake news” or “market-moving” statements.
- The $100+ Reality: Despite the diplomatic rhetoric, Brent Crude continues to hover near $107 per barrel, with some regional reports suggesting prices could reach $180 if the conflict persists beyond April.
The Diplomatic Middle Ground: Pakistan’s Role
While Ghalibaf denies direct talks, he did not explicitly rule out the indirect channel currently being managed by Pakistan.
- Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has confirmed that Islamabad is actively relaying the 15-point U.S. proposal.
- Analysts suggest Ghalibaf’s public “fake news” stance may be a domestic necessity to maintain a “resistance” posture while backchannel negotiations through Pakistani officials continue.
