Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf eyed for US talks regardless of threats

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The person reportedly being floated by the Trump administration as a potential interlocutor with Iran can also be one of many regime’s most hardline figures — Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf. The longtime Revolutionary Guards commander is broadly described by consultants as a loyal "sure man," with a file of threats in opposition to the US and deep ties to the system’s inside circle.

That contradiction underscores the central query going through U.S. policymakers: Even when Washington is talking to the "proper individuals," as President Donald Trump has claimed, can somebody like Ghalibaf truly ship?

"Ghalibaf doesn’t have an unbiased line. His power is that he's a ‘sure man,’" stated Beni Sabti, an Iran skilled on the Institute for Nationwide Safety Research. He added, "If he's informed to shake arms with Particular Envoy Steve Witkoff, he'll do it. If he's informed to escalate, he'll. It isn't about moderation, it's about who offers the orders."

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Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf speaks throughout a public occasion in Iran in 2024 (Hossein Beris/Center East Pictures/Center East Pictures through AFP)

Regime Insider Ghalibaf, 64, is a product of Iran’s safety institution.

He rose by way of the ranks of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in the course of the Iran-Iraq Warfare, finally changing into commander of the IRGC air power.

"He even accomplished flight coaching overseas, which was commonplace on the time, with France reportedly aiding at one stage. Till lately, he was nonetheless conducting coaching flights in France," stated Sabti.

He later served as Iran’s nationwide police chief, overseeing inside safety forces answerable for suppressing protests, together with the 1999 scholar rebellion, alongside Qassem Soleimani.

After transitioning into politics, Ghalibaf tried to run for president a number of instances however failed. He as an alternative constructed his profession by way of loyalty to the system, serving as Tehran’s mayor for greater than a decade earlier than changing into speaker of parliament in 2020.

"Ghalibaf went on to serve in senior nationwide roles and is now speaker of parliament. He has persistently aligned himself with the supreme chief and follows directives moderately than setting his personal unbiased positions," Sabti stated.

"His title has additionally been linked to a number of corruption allegations, together with misuse of oil revenues and sanctions evasion networks involving his household. His sons have reportedly been concerned and are below sanctions," Sabti stated, including, "There have additionally been public scandals involving members of the family touring overseas and making luxurious purchases, together with broadly circulated pictures of them arriving with quite a few high-end Gucci suitcases."

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Speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf listens as parliament members chant in help of the IRGC in Tehran, Iran, Feb 1, 2026. (Hamed Malekpour/Islamic consultative meeting information company/West Asia Information Company/Handout through Reuters)

Restricted Authority Ghalibaf’s wartime statements replicate a hardening tone inside Iran’s management.

He has rejected ceasefire phrases, declaring Iran would proceed combating "till the enemy really regrets its aggression."

He has additionally warned that assaults on Iranian infrastructure would set off retaliation throughout the area, together with in opposition to power targets.

On the similar time, he has publicly denied any negotiations with the US, calling reviews of talks "pretend information" and accusing Washington of manipulating markets.

In remarks aired on Iranian tv on Jan. 12, 2026, he warned that U.S. forces would face catastrophic penalties in the event that they confronted Iran. "Come, so you may see what disaster befalls American bases, ships and forces," he stated, including that American troops could be "burned by the fireplace of Iran’s defenders."

In the identical remarks, broadcast and translated by MEMRI, he described the U.S. president as "delusional and conceited," and framed Iran’s ideology as a rising international motion.

Extra lately, he escalated additional. He warned that "the blood of American troopers is the non-public accountability of Trump," and vowed Iran would "settle accounts with the Individuals and Israelis," including that "Trump and Netanyahu crossed our crimson strains and pays the value."

He has additionally threatened retaliation in opposition to regional power infrastructure, signaling a willingness to broaden the battle past direct army confrontation.

Not the Determination-Maker "He’s thought of comparatively average within the present Iranian context, however he’s not the one calling the pictures. He’s not the chief himself," Danny Citrinowicz, Center East, nationwide safety and intelligence skilled, informed Fox Information Digital, including that Ghalibaf might function a channel to Iran’s management, however not as the final word authority.

"If you wish to communicate to somebody in Iran, he’s most likely the purpose of contact," he stated. "However he’s not deciding something. Even when he needs to do one thing, he has to get approval from the IRGC and the supreme management."

Sabti stated, "Some level to intervals throughout Rouhani’s presidency when he appeared to align with Rouhani and describe him as considerably average, however that's deceptive."

TRUMP SAYS IRAN WANTS TO TALK BUT WHO WILL LEAD AFTER KHAMENEI?

A person lights a cigarette with hearth from a burning image of Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, as Israelis rally in help of the nationwide protests occurring in Iran, in Holon, Israel, Jan. 14, 2026. (Ammar Awad/Reuters)

A System That Makes Offers More durable Analysts say the larger subject is just not Ghalibaf himself, however the system he operates inside.

Behnam Ben Taleblu, a senior fellow on the Basis for Protection of Democracies, stated: "Those that see the ascendance of somebody like Ghalibaf, who's an IRGC veteran, as extending energy exterior his conventional civilian function have missed how persona, not occupation, has been the driving power in Iranian politics for many years. Those that concentrate on IRGC backgrounds within the Supreme Nationwide Safety Council may overlook that latest secretaries — Shamkhani, Larijani and Ahmadian — all had IRGC backgrounds."

"The system at this time is extra radicalized and decentralized," Citrinowicz agreed. "It’s not one particular person. It’s a number of actors you have to coordinate with, which makes it a lot more durable to barter."

"I’m not saying it’s unimaginable, as a result of that is nonetheless the Center East, however will probably be very tough to succeed in an settlement with them, not to mention one which displays the identical calls for the U.S. was making earlier than the warfare. There isn't any method they will comply with that," he added.

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A billboard depicting Iran's supreme leaders is displayed above a freeway in Tehran on March 10, 2026. (AFP/Through Getty Pictures)

Citrinowicz stated the regime sees themselves as prevailing. "From Iran’s perspective, they're profitable, not dropping. They're utilizing their strategic capabilities and successfully threatening a choke level within the international financial system, particularly the Strait of Hormuz. That solely reinforces the radicalization happening contained in the regime. Below these circumstances, they would be the ones making calls for of Trump, not the opposite method round."

Even when talks have been to happen, he stated, Ghalibaf wouldn't be capable to commit Iran with out broader approval.

Efrat Lachter is a overseas correspondent for Fox Information Digital overlaying worldwide affairs and the United Nations. Comply with her on X @efratlachter. Tales might be despatched to efrat.lachter@fox.com.