War in Iran: Conservative but pragmatic…What do we know about Mohammad Ghalibaf, who seems to be holding the reins in Tehran?

Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, president of the Iranian Parliament, has come into the spotlight in recent days. This attention was brought on by remarks made by US President Donald Trump, who referred to new Iranian leaders as “much more reasonable”. Trump expressed optimism about the possibility of reaching an agreement with these new leaders. Ghalibaf’s background includes joining the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps at a young age during the Iran-Iraq war in the 1980s. Described as a conservative and a hardliner in Iranian politics, he has been involved in various military and political roles throughout his career.

A notable figure in Iranian politics, Ghalibaf served as Tehran’s mayor for twelve years. During his tenure, he focused on infrastructure development and urban projects, although his administration faced corruption allegations. Since becoming President of the Parliament in 2020, Ghalibaf has been seen as overseeing Iran’s military efforts and strategy. Many experts view him as one of the most powerful figures in Iran due to his broad portfolio covering military, security, and political domains.

Ghalibaf’s stance on foreign policy usually emphasizes a strong Iran, but he has not been outright opposed to negotiations or concessions. Despite his authoritative military background, some observers find it hard to believe that he would make significant concessions to the US. Ghalibaf has been vocal on social media, particularly in response to American and Israeli military actions. He has also dismissed rumors of negotiations with the US, accusing them of spreading misinformation to manipulate financial markets and evade their own challenges.