The Trump administration prefers to deal with Ghalibaf as a “partner and leader of Iran”

The administration of US President Donald Trump is considering working with Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, as a potential partner or even a future leader of the country, at a time when Washington is hinting at a shift from military pressure towards a negotiated end to the war.

According to what the American website “Politico” reported from sources in the Trump administration, some officials in the White House view Ghalibaf as “a partner who can be dealt with, and who can lead Iran and negotiate with Washington in the post-war period.”

Earlier Monday, Trump confirmed that things are “going very well” regarding Iran, after he announced that he would hold discussions with it and postpone the strikes that he threatened to carry out on its energy generation facilities.

Although Iran denied holding negotiations with the United States, Trump’s statements were considered an indication that the war could end soon.

The Iranian denial came from Ghalibaf himself, while the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that it had received “messages from friendly countries” regarding an American request for talks.

But the White House, according to Politico, is not yet ready to commit to the name of any specific person to lead Iran, as it hopes to test several candidates “who are willing to conclude a deal.”

One of the US administration officials said that Ghalibaf is “a strong option,” adding that he is “among the most likely names, but the administration should not rush and test them.”

Qalibaf is playing an increasingly pivotal role in light of the US-Israeli strikes on Iran, which makes him a very important figure at a crucial moment, and his name has also been mentioned in reports as a potential negotiator for Iran with US Vice President J.D. Vance and Washington envoys.

An Israeli official and an informed source told Reuters on Monday that Ghalibaf is negotiating on behalf of Iran with the United States as the conflict escalates, in reference to his growing role.

With more influential figures disappearing from the scene, the man, who was a commander in the Revolutionary Guard, mayor of Tehran, commander of the National Police, and a former presidential candidate, has now become a major link between the political, security, and religious elites.

Qalibaf, who had long been seen as close to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who was killed at the beginning of the war, and trusted by his son Mojtaba, who succeeded him, was one of the most prominent voices challenging Israel and the United States, and vowed revenge for their attack.

In a speech addressed to Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after Khamenei’s killing, Ghalibaf vowed to deliver “devastating strikes that will make you both beg.”