Washington: The U.S. government is covertly considering Mohammad Bagher Galibaf, Iran's parliament speaker, as a potential partner or future leader after President Donald Trump hinted at shifting from military pressure to negotiations to resolve the ongoing conflict. This development follows Iranian authorities' assertions that they are not open to negotiations and are committed to continuing the fight.
According to Thai News Agency, Politico has reported that the Trump administration sees Galibaf as a potential successor in Iran. Following Trump's recent indication that negotiations with Iran were making progress, he extended the deadline for a planned strike on Iranian power plants by five days. Reports have surfaced that U.S. negotiators met with Galibaf, who is known for his retaliatory threats against the U.S. and its allies. However, Iranian officials deny these meetings took place, fueling speculation that Trump is shifting his strategy from military action to diplomatic engagement.
Politico, referencing a White House source, noted that while no specific individual has been identified, Galibaf is seen as a top candidate due to his insider status and potential willingness to negotiate. The source described him as a key intermediary between the Iranian government and military, suggesting he might be open to discussions to maintain his position of power.
In an interview cited by Politico, it was suggested that the White House might be preparing to elevate Galibaf to lead negotiations with the U.S., potentially positioning him as Iran's next leader. The Trump administration is reportedly aiming for a leader who could align with U.S. interests, particularly in energy and oil, similar to the case of Delcy Rodriguez in Venezuela, who collaborated with the U.S. following Nicol¡s Maduro's arrest.
U.S. officials have expressed a desire to find a leader in Iran who is amenable to cooperating with U.S. interests in exchange for political stability. Trump's strategy diverges from supporting external opposition figures like Reza Pahlavi, instead focusing on established figures within Iran's system who are pragmatic and open to negotiation, thereby minimizing the risk of domestic chaos.
Trump seeks a swift resolution to avoid deploying ground forces to Iran, which could negatively affect his popularity in upcoming midterm elections. He has expressed interest in influencing Iran's leadership succession, preferring candidates he deems suitable over others like Mojtaba Khamenei, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's son.
The extension of the strike deadline on Iran appears to be an attempt by Trump to buy time and stabilize markets, though it's unclear if his demands will be met. A senior White House official stated that Trump is eager to reach a peace agreement with Iran, offering peace instead of war to encourage progress in opening the Strait of Hormuz and achieving a ceasefire.
Mohammad Bagher Galibaf, a 64-year-old former military officer and four-time presidential candidate, is a significant figure in Iran's wartime leadership. While he has denied any negotiations with the U.S., calling such reports fake news, analysts are closely watching to see if he will compromise with the United States, much like Venezuela's Delcy Rodriguez. However, given his commitment to Iran's current power structure and the influence of the Iranian military, Galibaf may not easily accede to U.S. demands.
This move by the U.S. government reflects an effort to find a clear negotiating partner, highlighting the urgency to resolve the crisis that has destabilized global markets and increased oil prices and inflation concerns.