THE HALFAX HEIMDALL AUGUR

Iran’s Ghalibaf Says Implementing US-Iran MoU ‘Difficult But Possible’ Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibafsaid on Sundaythat implementing the US-Iran Memorandum of Understanding was “difficult but possible” as he continues to favor diplomacy with the US despite recent strikes and high tensions between Washington and Tehran. Ghalibaf made the comments during a meeting with senior Hamas official Mohammed Darwish on the sidelines of the ceremonies being held in Iran for the funeral of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed by the US and Israel on February 28, the first day of the joint US-Israeli attacks on the country. “We have no peace with the United States, and we will not recognize Israel,’ Ghalibaf told Darwish, according to Iran’sPressTV. The Iranian parliament speaker said Iran would continue to assist what it calls the “resistance front” in the region “if needed with missiles, and if political pressure is required, pressure through negotiations.” Ghalibaf noted that Iran was able to get the US to agree to add a ceasefire in Lebanon to the MoU following Israeli strikes on the southern suburbs of Beirut. “We told the American side that…

Ghalibaf: ambitious 'public face' of post-Ali Khamenei Iran Ghalibaf: ambitious 'public face' of post-Ali Khamenei Iran by Stuart Williams Jun 14, 2026 Add AL-MONITOR on Google Ghalibaf (L), here shaking hands with Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif (R) is a key figure in the talks — - Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has emerged as the key negotiator and one of the most high-profile figures in the Islamic republic's leadership as it enters a new phase after the US-Israeli war. A pillar of the Iranian establishment for some three decades and one of its most prominent non-clerical figures, Ghalibaf, 64, had spearheaded the war effort and led the high-stakes negotiating process that culminated with an agreement announced Monday to halt the hostilities. Ghalibaf survived more than five weeks of US-Israeli attacks on Iran that killed supreme leader Ali Khamenei, top security official Ali Larijani and a host of other key figures. He came into public view for the first time in weeks in April to lead the Iranian delegation in talks in Islamabad with the United States, meeting Vice President JD Vance, the highest-level contact between the two foes since before the…

Ghalibaf: ambitious 'public face' of post-Ali Khamenei Iran <p>Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has emerged as the key negotiator and one of the most high-profile figures in the Islamic republic's leadership as it enters a new phase after the US-Israeli war.</p><p>A pillar of the Iranian establishment for some three decades and one of its most prominent non-clerical figures, Ghalibaf, 64, had spearheaded the war effort and led the high-stakes negotiating process that culminated with an agreement announced Monday to halt the hostilities.</p>

Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf: Iran's emerging voice in U.S ... - النهار In a shifting power landscape, the parliament speaker steps forward as a central figure connecting Iran’s military and political decision-making. In an unprecedented power vacuum in Iran’s leadership, the name of Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf stands out as a figure who goes beyond his official position. He is no longer just the speaker of parliament, but one of the few figures who can represent Tehran amid war and political turmoil. Today, Qalibaf has stepped into the spotlight at a moment when the roles of other figures have diminished or disappeared due to military strikes. Reports suggest that Washington now treats him as a key player in any potential negotiations, given the absence of a clear decision-making center within the Iranian system. Who is Qalibaf? Qalibaf is not a conventional politician.He began his career in the Revolutionary Guards during the Iran-Iraq War, rising to lead the Guards’ Air Force before moving into security and civilian positions, most notably leading the police force and serving as mayor of Tehran for many years, eventually becoming speaker of parliament in 2020.This dual military/secu…

Inside Iran’s Post-War Power Shift: How Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf ... A seasoned insider with military and political experience, seen shaping Iran’s future Paris: Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has emerged as the key negotiator and one of the most high-profile figures in the Islamic republic's leadership as it enters a new phase after the US-Israeli war. A pillar of the Iranian establishment for some three decades and one of its most prominent non-clerical figures, Ghalibaf, 64, had spearheaded the war effort and led the high-stakes negotiating process that culminated with an agreement announced Monday to halt the hostilities. Ghalibaf survived more than five weeks of US-Israeli attacks on Iran that killed supreme leader Ali Khamenei, top security official Ali Larijani and a host of other key figures. He came into public view for the first time in weeks in April to lead the Iranian delegation in talks in Islamabad with the United States, meeting Vice President JD Vance, the highest-level contact between the two foes since before the 1979 Islamic revolution. An image published on social media by Iranian embassies abroad put Ghalibaf centre stage in the Iran…

1/3 FYI: THE NEGOTIATORS (13:30 GMT) IRAN [very senior levels in diplomacy, national security, sanctions relief, banking, energy] Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf: Commander of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard air force then police chief of Iran: 2005- 2017 mayor of Tehran; since 2020 speaker of parliament

Why Iran is caught in a bitter factional battle over Pezeshkian's ... A tug of war has erupted among Iran’s political elite, with newly sworn-in President Masaud Pezeshkian’s choice of Mohammad Javad Zarif as head of the steering committee facing heavy criticism from conservatives, ultimately leading Zarif to resign from the position. The wrangling over Pezeshkian’s potential cabinet continues in the Shia-majority country. Pezeshkian, a moderate politician and trained heart surgeon, assumed the presidency in late July, just over a month after the hardliner President Ebrahim Raisi was killed in a helicopter crash in western Iran. Raisi’s death was a worrisome development for Tehran amid Israel’s brutal war on Gaza, which has pushed the Middle East to dangerous margins. Tehran-backed proxies like Lebanon’s Hezbollah and Yemen’s Houthis are countering Tel Aviv on borders and in offshore sea skirmishes. With the arrival of the new president, who is of Turkic origin, Zarif, the former foreign minister under the Hassan Rouhani government, was appointed to lead a steering committee, which was tasked to ensure that candidates for cabinet positions align with moderate views and represent…

How Ghalibaf became key US-Iran mediator, emerged as 'public face' … [Editor's Note: Follow Khaleej Times live blog amidUS-Israel-Iran warfor the latest regional developments.] Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has emerged as the key negotiator and one of the most high-profile figures in the Islamic republic's leadership as it enters a new phase after the US-Israeli war. A pillar of the Iranian establishment for some three decades and one of its most prominent non-clerical figures, Ghalibaf, 64, had spearheaded the war effort and led the high-stakes negotiating process that culminated with anagreement announced Monday to halt the hostilities. Ghalibaf survived more than five weeks of US-Israeli attacks on Iran that killed supreme leader Ali Khamenei, top security official Ali Larijani and a host of other key figures. Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp channels. He came into public view for the first time in weeks in April to lead theIranian delegation in talks in Islamabadwith the United States, meeting Vice President JD Vance, the highest-level contact between the two foes since before the 1979 Islamic revolution. An image publishe…

Reports of Ghalibaf-Trump channel sparks political storm in Tehran The projectile was not intercepted in Lebanese airspace and instead landed on the coast, according to Iran International sources, disputing earlier reporting by Reuters. The strike came shortly after Lebanon declared Iran’s ambassador to Beirut, Mohammad Reza Raouf Sheibani, persona non grata and ordered his expulsion. Lebanese Foreign Minister Youssef Raggi said on X that the decision had been formally communicated and that the envoy must leave the country by March 29. Lebanon also recalled its ambassador from Tehran for consultations, accusing Iran of violating diplomatic norms and established protocols between the two countries. Israel’s military said that, based on its assessments, a ballistic missile launched from Iran fell in Beirut around the same time as missile attacks targeting Israel. In a statement, the army said the projectile was fired by the “Iranian regime” and landed inside Lebanon. Diplomats from several Persian Gulf states told Iran International on Tuesday that Tehran was acting like a “runaway horse,” warning that attacking another Arab country crossed a new red line and would not be toler…

Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, The Man Washington May Be Talking To In … Share Share Media reports emerged this week of the Trump administration quietly exploring conservative parliament speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf as a potential negotiating partner -- and possibly a future Iranian leader. Washington, which has not confirmed the reports carried by CNN, Politico, and Fox News among other outlets, has been seeking a point of contact for negotiations ever since the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on the first day of US-Israeli air strikes on Iran. Khamenei's son has been named as a successor, but he hasn't been seen since the day his father died and was reportedly also injured in the attack. Enter talk of Qalibaf as the person reportedly seen by at least some in the White House as a workable partner. The 64-year-old has flatly denied the rumors, posting on X that "no negotiations have been held with the US" while calling the claims "fake news" designed to manipulate financial and oil markets. Whether or not back-channel contacts exist, his emergence as the most visible senior figure in a system experiencing a structural breakdown of decision-making authority has mad…

Iran's Parliament Speaker Qalibaf: Key Figure in US-Iran Talks? Veteran hardliner’s name emerges in reports, even as both sides offer conflicting signals Dubai: As Israeli and US strikes continue to erode Iran’s political andmilitary leadership, one figure is increasinglymoving to the centre of power in Tehran: parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf — a veteran insider now seen as a crucial link across the Islamic Republic’s fractured system. With much of Iran’s top leadership either killed, sidelined or operating under strain,Qalibaf has emerged as one of the fewremaining figures with deep roots across the country’s political, military and clerical institutions. An Israeli official and a source familiar with the matter said he has even been involved incontacts with the United Statesas the conflict escalates, though Tehran has denied any negotiations are taking place. Key role:Iran’s parliament speaker, now emerging as a central figure amid leadership losses Security background: Former commander in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and ex-police chief Political career: Served as Tehran mayor for over a decade; multiple-time presidential candidate Power links:…

Bagher Ghalibaf: Ambitious 'public face' of post-Ali Khamenei Iran Published June 15, 2026 Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has emerged as the key negotiator and one of the most high-profile figures in the Islamic republic’s leadership as it enters a new phase after the US-Israeli war. A pillar of the Iranian establishment for some three decades and one of its most prominent non-clerical figures, Ghalibaf, 64, had spearheaded the war effort and led the high-stakes negotiating process that culminated with an agreement announced on Monday to halt the hostilities. Ghalibaf survived more than five weeks of US-Israeli attacks on Iran that assassinated Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, top security official Ali Larijani and a host of other key figures. He came into public view for the first time in weeks in April to lead the Iranian delegation in talks in Islamabad with the United States, meeting Vice President JD Vance, the highest-level contact between the two foes since before the 1979 Islamic revolution. An image published on social media by Iranian embassies abroad put Ghalibaf centre stage in the Iranian negotiating team, looking animated and gesturing with his …

What we know about Iran’s parliamentary speaker Qalibaf Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, speaks during a press conference in Beirut, Lebanon, on Oct. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein, File) Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, left, waves to residents as he visits the site of an Israeli airstrike in Beirut, Lebanon, on Oct. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar, File) Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, the most prominent hard-line candidate for the June 28 presidential election, speaks in his campaign gathering in Tehran, Iran, on June 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi, File) DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Long before he became Iran’s parliamentary speaker, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf went on a charm offensive for almost two decades, portraying himself as a hard-liner the West could do business with inthe Islamic Republic. “I would like the West to change its attitude to Iran and trust Iran, and rest assured that there’s an attitude in Iran to advance issues through dialogue,” he told London-based newspaper The Times in 2008. Withthe warin its fifth week after the joint U.S-Israeli strikes on Iran started in late February, U.S. Presi…

Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf Is Not a Leader or Representative of Iranian ... Recent media reports indicate that President Donald Trump claims the United States hasbeen holding talks with a “respected” Iranian leader, with leaked information suggestingthis person is Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf. Based on his record, we are deeply concernedabout this possibility.As Iranians living abroad and inside Iran, many of us have personally experienced orwitnessed the effects of corruption, repression, and lack of freedom under the currentregime. We strongly believe that Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf does not represent theIranian people and is not a suitable leader for our nation. 1. He is a high-ranking IRGC GeneralHe is a high-ranking IRGC General, which the U.S. designates as a terrorist organization,making it unacceptable for him to be treated as a representative of the Iranian people inforeign negotiations. 2. Corruption and hypocrisyGhalibaf’s family has been linked to luxury purchases abroad, including a trip to Turkey forbaby supplies, while whistleblowers like Vahid Ashtari are imprisoned or banned fromsocial media. These incidents highlight the hypocrisy of leaders living lavishly whileordina…

Who is Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf? Iran’s Parliament Speaker set to … Iran has named Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf to lead its negotiating team for talks with the United States in Islamabad, Iran’s ISNA said. On the US side, Vice President JD Vance is expected to be part of the discussions. The announcement came after Iran’s Supreme National Security Council said it had accepted a temporary ceasefire and would begin negotiations with Washington from Friday. However, it mentioned that the pause in hostilities remains conditional. “It is emphasized that this does not signify the termination of the war,” the statement said. “Our hands remain upon the trigger, and should the slightest error be committed by the enemy, it shall be met with full force.” Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf’s selection to lead the talks places a senior and influential figure at the centre of high-stakes negotiations. Born in 1961 near Mashhad in northeastern Iran, Qalibaf comes from a modest background as the son of a grocer. His political journey began early during the Islamic Revolution, when he became involved in activism,Times.comreported. According to Iranian state-owned Press TV, Qalibaf and his cl…

Iran's invisible leader: Is Mojtaba Khamenei really in charge? Trump, Rubio say supreme leader taking bigger role despite remaining out of public view Dubai:Iran's supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei has not been seen inpublic since his appointment on March 8, yet senior US officials now say he is increasingly involved in the country's affairs, raising fresh questions about who really holds power in Tehran. No photographs have been released, his health condition remains unclear and he has yet to make a public appearance. But comments this weekfrom US President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio suggest he may be playing a growing role behind the scenes. The mystery surrounding Mojtaba Khamenei deepened this week after both Trump and Rubio publicly indicated that Iran’s new supreme leader is actively participating in state affairs. “I think there are indications out there that he is increasingly engaging at some level,” Rubio told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, adding that all communications from Khamenei have so far been delivered through written messages and intermediaries. Trump went further, telling reporters on Wednesday that Khamenei was “involved, abs…