In a stunning diplomatic revelation, it has been confirmed that the United States successfully pressured Israel to remove Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf from its immediate "assassination list."
According to sources at BBC Bangla and Reuters, the move was a strategic necessity orchestrated by Pakistan. The message to Washington was blunt: if the remaining pragmatic leaders like Ghalibaf are eliminated, there will be no one left in Tehran capable of signing a peace treaty.
The "Last Man Standing" in Tehran
The conflict, which escalated dramatically after the February 28 strikes that decimated Iran’s top leadership, has left a vacuum in the Islamic Republic's command structure. Ghalibaf has emerged not just as a survivor, but as the primary "interlocutor" for the West.
The Pakistani Shield: Pakistani officials reportedly shared Ghalibaf’s exact coordinates with the U.S. to ensure his safety during mediation. "We told the Americans that Ghalibaf is the bridge," a senior Pakistani diplomat noted. "Without him, the IRGC hardliners will have total control with no diplomatic exit."
Trump’s "Reasonable" Assessment: On Monday, U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed that indirect negotiations are underway. Speaking to the New York Post, Trump described the current Iranian negotiators as a "whole new set of people" who are "much more reasonable" than their predecessors.
A Dual-Track Strategy: Diplomacy vs. Invasion
While Ghalibaf sits at the negotiating table, he remains a figure of intense contradictions. Even as he engages in the "Islamabad Initiative," he has maintained a fierce public posture to appease his domestic military base.
The Public Threat: On Sunday, Ghalibaf warned that Iranian forces are "waiting to set American soldiers on fire" if a ground invasion occurs.
The Private Dialogue: Behind the scenes, he is reportedly deliberating on a 15-point peace proposal delivered by the U.S. through intermediaries.
The Stakes of the "Islamabad Initiative"
The mediation, led by Pakistan with support from Turkey and Egypt, is a race against time. With 20% of the world's oil traffic stalled in the Strait of Hormuz and reports of 10,000 additional U.S. troops preparing for deployment, Ghalibaf is walking a razor-thin line.
Critics within Iran, pointing to the 2022 "Babygate" scandal and his history as a Police Chief, view his pragmatism as a betrayal. Meanwhile, the West views his PhD in Political Geography and his IRGC Air Force background as evidence that he is a "technocrat of war" who understands that Iran cannot win a prolonged conflict against a global coalition.
What Happens Next?
President Trump has stated that the world will know "within a week" if a deal with Ghalibaf is possible. If these talks fail, the "hit list" may be reactivated, and the path to a full-scale ground war may become unavoidable.
Fast Facts: The Ghalibaf Negotiations
The Mediator: Pakistan ( relaying 15 U.S. peace points).
The Rival: New Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei (reportedly wounded and sidelined).
The Red Line: Iran demands the U.S. pay for war damages and recognize Iranian control over the Strait of Hormuz.
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https://thereporter24.com/news/who-is-mohammad-bagher-ghalibaf-the-pragmatic-hardliner-leading-iran-s-high-stakes-talks-with-the-u-s
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