Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf: The Man Really Running Iran?
A Revolutionary Guards commander turned Tehran mayor turned parliament speaker, Ghalibaf has survived corruption scandals and failed presidential bids to reach the center of power in Tehran.
Simon Whistler • March 27, 2026
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Note: this transcript was generated by AI and may contain errors or inconsistencies.
On Monday morning, the world held its collective breath and waited for the latest escalation in the war between Israel, the US, and Iran. The previous Saturday, President Donald Trump had given Iran an ultimatum. They could either open up the Strait of Hormuz, or American forces would destroy their energy infrastructure.
The threat made Tehran livid, with several high-profile officials, including the Speaker of the Nation's Parliament, Mohammed Baga Galabaugh, warning that if this happens, the entire region's energy infrastructure would be irreversibly destroyed.
Then, on Monday, with only a few hours before his deadline elapsed, President Trump announced that he was postponing the ultimatum amid good and productive peace talks with Tehran.
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