Who is Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf? Former IRGC Commander and hardline leader heading Iran’s delegation for US peace talks in Pakistan’s Islamabad
When Iran put together its delegation for crucial peace talks with the United States in Islamabad, it made a notable choice. Instead of sending its foreign minister, Tehran appointed its Parliament Speaker to lead the team, a conservative heavyweight with deep roots in the system. That figure is Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, and his role at the forefront signals where influence currently lies within Iran’s power structure.
A Career Shaped by the Revolution
Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, 64, built his career within Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Starting as a commander, he steadily climbed the ranks and eventually led the IRGC’s air force. He later became the chief of Iran’s national police, further expanding his influence.
From 2005 to 2017, he served as mayor of Tehran. During this period, Ghalibaf developed a reputation as a practical administrator. He participated in global platforms such as the World Economic Forum and showed openness to dialogue with Western countries, presenting a more pragmatic side alongside his conservative credentials.
Today, as Speaker of Parliament, he is considered a leading figure within Iran’s Principlist camp, politicians focused on upholding the ideals of the 1979 Islamic Revolution and reinforcing the country’s religious political system. In many ways, he blends a hardline outlook with an administrative track record.
Presidential Bids Without Victory
Despite his prominence, Ghalibaf has not succeeded in winning Iran’s presidency. He has contested the election four times, in 2005, 2013, 2017, and 2024, but has never emerged victorious. In 2017, he stepped aside before the vote took place.
Leaked diplomatic cables published by WikiLeaks suggested that Mojtaba Khamenei, son of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, supported his presidential campaigns. This perceived closeness to the Khamenei family is seen as a key reason behind his leadership of the Islamabad delegation.
As a committed Principlist, Ghalibaf is viewed as ideologically aligned with the Supreme Leader. He is widely regarded as a trusted insider, someone unlikely to deviate from the system’s core principles during sensitive negotiations at a challenging time for the Islamic Republic.
His rise has also been influenced by shifting dynamics within Iran’s leadership. After the death of Ali Larijani, who led Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, Ghalibaf emerged as one of the most prominent figures in the country’s evolving power landscape.
A Strong Presence Online
In recent weeks, Ghalibaf has attracted international attention for his activity on X (formerly Twitter). His posts, often sharp and laced with sarcasm, have targeted the American public, highlighting rising US petrol prices and criticising Washington’s policies during the conflict.
Direct and deliberate, these messages have reinforced his image as a combative political figure, unafraid to engage openly and challenge opponents on a global stage.