Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf looks forward to US talks despite threats

This man is reportedly favored by the Trump administration as a possible negotiator with Iran and is one of the most powerful state figures – the Speaker of the Iranian parliament Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, a long-time commander of the Revolutionary Guards, widely described by experts as a reliable “yes man”, with a record of threats against the United States and deep ties to the inner circle of the system.

That conflict underscores a key question facing American policymakers: Even if Washington is talking to “the right people,” as President Donald Trump says, can someone like Ghalibaf deliver?

“Ghalibaf does not have an independent streak. His strength is ‘yes man,'” said Beni Sabti, an Iran expert at the Institute for National Security Studies. He continued, “If asked to shake hands with Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, he will do it.”. It’s not about moderation, it’s about who gives the orders.”

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Regime Insider

Ghalibaf, 64, is a product of Iran’s security establishment.

He rose through the ranks of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps during the Iran-Iraq War, eventually becoming the commander of the IRGC’s air force.

“He even completed training courses for pilots abroad, which was unusual at that time, it is said that France helped sometimes, until recently he was still operating airplanes in France,” said Sabti.

He later served as Iran’s national police chief, overseeing the internal security forces responsible for suppressing protests, including the 1999 student uprising, and Qassem Soleimani.

After turning to politics, Ghalibaf tried to run for president many times but failed. Instead he built his career on loyalty to the system, serving as mayor of Tehran for more than a decade before becoming speaker of the parliament in 2020.

“Ghalibaf continued to work in high positions at the national level and is now the speaker of the parliament. He always associates himself with the top leader and follows orders rather than setting independent positions,” said Sabti.

“His name is associated with many corruption allegations, including the misuse of oil funds and sanctions evasion schemes affecting his family. His sons are reportedly implicated and under sanctions,” Sabti said, adding, “There have also been public scandals involving family members traveling abroad and extravagant purchases, including widespread photos of Gugu’s suits arriving.”

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Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf looks on as members of parliament chant in support of the IRGC while wearing military uniforms in Tehran, Iran, Feb 1, 2026. (Hamed Malekpour/Islamic think tank/WANA (West Asia News Agency)/Handout via Reuters)

Limited Authority

Ghalibaf’s statements during the war reflect a strong tone within the Iranian leadership.

He rejected the terms of the ceasefire, saying Iran would continue to fight “until the enemy truly regrets its aggression.”

He also warned that an attack on Iran’s infrastructure would trigger retaliation across the region, including opposing energy policies.

At the same time, he has publicly denied any talks with the United States, calling reports of talks “fake news” and accusing Washington of manipulating markets.

In a speech broadcast on Iranian television on January 12, 2026, he warned that the US military would face disastrous consequences if it confronted Iran. “Come, to see what disaster is befalling American bases, ships and forces,” he said, adding that American troops “will be burned by the fire of Iranian defenders.”

In the same speech, broadcast and translated by MEMRI, he described the US president as “deceitful and arrogant,” and presented the views of Iran as a growing global organization.

Recently, it has grown steadily. He warned that “the blood of American soldiers is Trump’s responsibility,” and vowed that Iran would “settle accounts with Americans and Israelis,” adding that “Trump and Netanyahu crossed our red lines and they will pay the price.”

He also threatened to retaliate against the region’s energy infrastructure, indicating a willingness to escalate the conflict beyond direct military action.

Not a Decision Maker

“He is considered moderate in the current Iranian situation, but he is not the one who calls the shots. He is not a leader himself,” Danny Citrinowicz, Middle East, National Security and Intelligence expert, told Fox News Digital that he added that Ghalibaf may work as a channel for the leadership of Iran, but not as a major authority.

“If you want to talk to an Iranian, you’re probably the point of contact,” he said. “But he doesn’t decide anything. Even if he wants to do something, he has to get permission from the IRGC and the top leadership.”

Sabti said “Some point to times during Rouhani’s presidency when he appeared to align with Rouhani and describe him as a moderate, but that is misleading,” he said.

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A man lights a cigarette on fire at a burning effigy of Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, as Israelis gather in support of nationwide protests in Iran, in Holon, Israel, January 14, 2026. (Ammar Awad/Reuters)

A System That Makes Agreements Difficult

Analysts say the biggest problem is not Ghalibaf himself, but the system he operates within.

Behnam Ben Taleblu, a senior official at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, said: “Those who see the rise of someone like Ghalibaf, an IRGC veteran, as an extension of power outside of his traditional role miss the fact that personality, not expertise, has been the driving force behind Iranian politics for decades. The secretaries – Shamkhani, Larijani and Ahmadian – all have IRGC backgrounds.”

“The system today is very centralized and decentralized,” Citrinowicz admits. “It’s not one person. There are a lot of actors you have to deal with, which makes it very difficult to negotiate.”

“I’m not saying it’s impossible, because this is still the Middle East, but it will be very difficult to reach an agreement with them, let alone show the same demands that the US wanted before the war. There is no way they will agree to that,” he added.

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A billboard showing the supreme leaders of Iran since 1979: (L to R) Ayatollahs Ruhollah Khomeini (until 1989), Ali Khamenei (until 2026), and Mojtaba Khamenei (in charge) is displayed above a highway in Tehran on March 10, 2026 for the appointment of Moj Khameneitaballah as Ayameneitaballah in Iran. supreme leader on March 9, 2026. (AFP/Via Getty Images)

Citrinowicz said that the state sees itself as strong. “From Iran’s point of view, they win, they don’t lose. They use their strategic capabilities and successfully threaten the choke point in the world economy, which is the Strait of Hormuz. That only strengthens the radicalization that is happening inside the regime. Under those conditions, they will do Trump’s demands, not the other way around.”

Even if negotiations were to take place, he said, Ghalibaf would not be able to do so without Iran’s broad approval.