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Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf is considered one of the most influential politicians in Iran and has close ties to the Revolutionary Guard; his name is associated with corruption and the suppression of protests
US President Donald Trump said on Monday that talks with Iran are underway and that there is hope for a possible agreement to end the conflict. However, according to the American portal Axios, Egypt, Pakistan and Turkey have been mediating between the US and Iran on Sunday, trying to organize a phone call with the speaker of the Iranian parliament, Ghalibaf, and his team for Monday.
On the other hand, authorities in Tehran denied that any talks had taken place. Ghalibaf described these as "fake news", saying they were aimed at manipulating the financial and oil markets, as well as buying time.
According to The Wall Street Journal, this Friday thousands of US Marines will be sent to the Middle East to ensure the passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz.
From Revolutionary Guard to powerful politician
Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf (64) is a former pilot and former commander of the Revolutionary Guard. He holds a doctorate in political geography, where his dissertation dealt with the relationship between space, power, the state and security policy.
As a young soldier, Ghalibaf participated in the Iran-Iraq War from 1980 to 1988 and built a career in the Revolutionary Guard. After the war, he became head of the Khatam al-Anbiya construction headquarters. This institution aimed to rebuild the country under the control of the Revolutionary Guard and continues to function as its economic arm, with hundreds of branches and subcontractors.
In 1997, Ayatollah Khamenei appointed Ghalibaf commander of the Revolutionary Guards' air force. Along with other commanders, he played a decisive role during the 1999 student protests and, along with Qasem Soleimani, signed a warning letter to then-President Mohammad Khatami, warning that the government would "no longer tolerate protests."
Ghalibaf later stated in interviews that he himself had beaten protesters with a rubber baton while riding a motorbike through the streets. A year later, he was appointed the country's police chief.
He had great political ambitions and ran three times for president of Iran. In 2005, he lost to Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, then mayor of Tehran. Ghalibaf then took over the leadership of the capital and served as mayor from 2005 to 2017.
In 2013, he ran again and lost to Hassan Rouhani, while in 2017 he withdrew to support another conservative candidate.
Corruption allegations and controversy
During his tenure in Tehran, according to Iranian journalists, many state properties were sold significantly below market value, in some cases up to 50 percent cheaper. Among the buyers were reportedly state officials and members of Ghalibaf's family.
He is also alleged to have transferred significant sums from the city budget to his wife's foundation, which is said to help single mothers and women who support their families. However, the functioning of this foundation is not transparent. The corruption allegations have not been fully clarified due to his close ties to Ayatollah Khamenei, while journalists who reported on the matter have been sentenced to prison.
From residence permit applications to baby equipment
In recent years, issues from Ghalibaf's family life have also attracted media attention. His son, Eshak, tried to obtain permanent residency in Canada. Since 2019, he has been seeking approval from Canadian immigration authorities and has even sued them for delays in federal court. The very fact that he sought a residency visa has sparked debate in Iran, as it was seen as contradicting his father's anti-Western stances. In the end, his application was rejected.
Meanwhile, his daughter and her family's trip to Turkey also sparked reactions. In 2022, photos were published showing them returning from Istanbul to Tehran with a lot of baby products, which the media called "baby starter kits." The case was widely criticized in a country facing an economic crisis and high inflation due to sanctions and poor management.
Ghalibaf is considered a highly influential politician within the Revolutionary Guard. The fact that, unlike some other officials, he has not been the target of American or Israeli attacks has fueled speculation in Iran. It remains to be seen whether Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf will take on an even more important political role in the future. /Adapted from Vijesti /
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