Kamal Ghorui
The Trump administration is reportedly exploring Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf as a potential interlocutor — and even a possible future leader — as it signals a shift from military pressure to a negotiated endgame.According to a report by Politico, Ghalibaf, 64, who has often issued strong warnings against the US and its allies, is nevertheless viewed by some in the White House as a pragmatic insider who could help steer talks in the next phase of the conflict, according to two administration officials.
That said, officials stressed no final decision has been made. The administration is assessing multiple figures within Iran’s power structure, effectively “stress testing” potential partners to identify someone willing and able to strike a deal.“He’s a strong option,” one official said, adding that the process remains fluid. “We need to evaluate carefully — we can’t rush this.”The outreach reflects a growing desire within Washington to find an exit from a conflict that has rattled global markets, pushed up oil prices and reignited inflation concerns. It also underscores a central question facing US policymakers after heavy blows to Tehran’s leadership: who comes next in Iran?White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt declined to comment on specifics, calling them “sensitive diplomatic discussions” that would not be conducted through the media.
48-hour threat to 5-day pause: Trump says ‘productive talks’, Ghalibaf responds ‘what talks’?
Donald Trump hinted earlier this week at outreach to “very solid” figures inside Iran and announced a five-day pause on strikes targeting energy infrastructure, suggesting a window for diplomacy. He said the two nations were discussing a 15-point framework to end the conflict, with Iran abandoning nuclear weapons among the top priorities.Ghalibaf, however, said no negotiations have taken place between Iran and the United States.Oil remains central to the administration’s calculus. Officials say Trump is reluctant to target Kharg Island — Iran’s key oil hub — in the hope that a future leadership arrangement could yield favorable energy deals. One official likened the approach to Washington’s strategy in Venezuela, where cooperation with figures close to Nicolás Maduro helped secure oil interests.Still, some within Trump’s orbit caution that such expectations may be overly optimistic. Iran, they note, has shown resilience under pressure and is unlikely to concede easily, particularly on strategic assets like oil.Others suggest the president may be overstating progress to buy time and stabilise markets, especially after previously issuing ultimatums over the Strait of Hormuz.Skepticism also surrounds Ghalibaf himself. Analysts describe him as a deeply embedded establishment figure — ambitious and pragmatic, but fundamentally committed to preserving Iran’s political system. That makes major concessions to Washington unlikely, particularly amid heightened mistrust following recent US and Israeli actions.At the same time, the administration appears to be ruling out exiled opposition figures such as Reza Pahlavi, citing concerns over their lack of domestic legitimacy. Instead, the focus remains on insiders who already wield influence within Iran’s system.Ghalibaf has publicly denied any talks with Washington, though US officials downplay those remarks as political positioning.For now, the administration says it is still in an exploratory phase — watching closely to see who emerges as a viable power broker.“We’re trying to figure out who can rise and who wants to rise,” one official said. “And then we test them.” A senior White House official added that Trump is keen to secure progress on the Strait of Hormuz and push toward a ceasefire, emphasizing that “like anyone, he would prefer peace over war.”
