Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has called on Iran to prepare to confront and overcome what he described as cruel sanctions, following a United States announcement of its toughest sanctions against Iran. Speaking during a visit to Iraq on August 21, 2026, Ghalibaf said Iran needed a plan to deal with the current situation.

According to remarks published on Ghalibaf’s Telegram channel, he said Muslim countries’ resources and raw materials were being targeted by their enemies. He said Iran must plan for harsh sanctions in order to overcome them. Ghalibaf also urged greater cooperation between Tehran and Baghdad.

Earlier, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced that Washington would impose its most severe sanctions yet on Iran. Recent reports said the United States was planning to increase economic pressure on Iran. Against the backdrop of the ongoing war, Ghalibaf renewed his call for stronger cooperation between Iran and Iraq during his visit.