Iran taunts US's 'America First' slogan after Hegseth-linked broker found to be on prowl for war profit

Iran mocks the US administration’s "America First" slogan after reports emerged that a broker linked to the US war secretary explored profiting from military investments as Washington was about to attack the Islamic Republic upon Israeli instigation.

"Nothing says 'America First' like launching a war for a foreign regime, while trying to profit as young soldiers are sent off to die," Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi wrote in a post on X on Tuesday.

Earlier, The Financial Times had reported that, in the weeks leading up to the United States' and the Israeli regime's latest bout of unprovoked aggression targeting the Islamic Republic, a financial broker linked to US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth explored a substantial investment in major military contractors.

Sources cited by the daily said the broker, operating through ⁠Morgan Stanley, contacted BlackRock in February about putting millions of dollars into the firm’s newly launched iShares Defense Industrials Active ETF (IDEF).

The fund, which debuted in May 2025, focuses on global military procurements, aerospace, and security-related companies.

In the months preceding the launch of the aggression, the Israeli regime was reported to be feverishly trying to push Washington towards attacking the Islamic Republic.

The efforts were witnessed by Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu's travelling to Washington ahead of schedule to ensure US President Donald Trump would consent.

"This war of choice is imposed on both Americans and Iranians," Araghchi's post concluded.

Also on Tuesday, Iran’s Majlis (Parliament) Speaker Mohammad-Baqer Qalibaf criticized US foreign policy after a CNN report revealed that American families were skipping meals to afford skyrocketing gas prices triggered by the aggression towards Iran.

The aggression has prompted the Islamic Republic to close the strategic Strait of Hormuz to enemy vessels and ships belonging to those aiding them in retaliation, a move that has contributed to global rise in energy prices.

"Just read about Sarah and others in the US skipping meals because gas prices keep climbing,” Qalibaf wrote in a social media post. "Sad, but this is what happens when your leaders put others ahead of hard-working and ordinary Americans. It’s not America First anymore… it’s Israel First."