Qalibaf's Rise Amid Iran's Leadership Scramble

0:00Mohamed Bogger Kalibaf, Iran's parliament speaker and a 64-year-old former revolutionary guard commander, has long pitched himself as a pragmatic hardliner open to western dialogue. Now, with the U.S. and Israel's war against Iran in its fourth week, reports surface suggesting he's a potential negotiating partner for Washington. Kualaibaf quickly denied any talks, calling the claims fake news aimed at market manipulation. Earlier this week, Israel's airstrike on February 28, killed 86-year-old supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Kameneh, leaving his son. Moch-Taba as the new supreme leader. Moch-Taba reportedly wounded an out-of-sight, has long backed Kualaibaf through his failed presidential runs in 2005, 2000, 13, 2017, and 2024. Multiple power centers in Iran's theocracy are now competing for control. Iranians have mixed views on Kualaibaf, with many despising him over his role in crackdowns on protesters and swirling corruption allegations from his. Time as Tehan Mayor, state media labeled

1:05the negotiation rumors a political bomb to sow division. Analyst describe him as a survivor eyeing top leadership, while President Trump hinted at an unnamed Iranian contact saying he won't reveal the name. To avoid endangering them, Kualaibaf rose from a shopkeeper's son to guard pilot, police chief, and mayor, modernizing forces, but linked to violent responses during student, protests, and the 2009 Green Movement. Unlike others, he's not on any U.S. bounty list, and his praise for the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack raises questions about Israeli views. As Iran's leadership scrambles amid the conflict, Kualaibaf's ties to the new supreme leader could elevate his influence, though uncertainties linger. Over talks and power plays, local news, powered by AI. This is Canada News Today.