Who is Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf, Iranian figure reportedly leading talks with US

The Hill
by Ashleigh Fields
March 23, 2026
3 min read

Quick Insights

The Bottom Line

Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf, Iran's Parliamentary speaker, is leading diplomatic talks with President Trump on nuclear and regional issues.

AI Summary

Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf, speaker of Iran's Parliament, is leading diplomatic talks with President Trump on behalf of Iran, according to sources who spoke to multiple outlets Monday. Ghalibaf has spent decades navigating Tehran's inner political circles and holds significant influence within Iran's power structure. The talks suggest both the U.S. and Iranian governments are exploring potential de-escalation amid heightened regional tensions. A parliamentary speaker taking the lead in direct negotiations with the American president signals Iran may be willing to engage at a high political level, a shift from typical indirect diplomatic channels. The discussions could reshape U.S.-Iran relations, though success would depend on whether both sides can narrow deep disagreements over nuclear policy and regional influence.

Source Coverage Map

13 of 43 tracked sources covered this story

30% coverage
Did Not Cover (30)
ICIJ97AP World News96AP News96AP US News96AP Top News96+25 more

Following this story?

Get notified when new coverage appears

Other Sources Covering This Story

5 sources

Multiple outlets have reported on this story. Compare perspectives from different sources.

Should this be getting more attention?

You Might Have Missed

Related stories from different sources and perspectives

‘Extremely ugly’: Maga media figures squabble among themselves over Trump’s Iran war
Politics

‘Extremely ugly’: Maga media figures squabble among themselves over Trump’s Iran war

<p>Though the majority of the president’s base backs the war, a schism has developed among Trump-touting media stars</p><p>When the histories of the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/us-israel-war-on-iran">Iran war</a> and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/donaldtrump">Donald Trump</a>’s “Make America great again” (Maga) movement are written, there may be a special place for the words of former US congresswoman <a href="https://x.com/mtgreenee/status/2033523572228952562">Marjorie Taylor Greene</a>: “I wholeheartedly support Megyn Kelly telling the world that Mark Levin has a micropenis.”</p><p>Greene’s social media post summed up how the media stars of the Trump coalition <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/17/us/politics/iran-war-trump-conservative-divide-israel.html">have turned on each other</a> in a ferocious, bitter and – sometimes – vulgar brawl. Figures such as Kelly, Levin, Tucker Carlson, Laura Loomer, Candace Owens and Ben Shapiro have clashed over...

The Guardian US NewsMar 22
Iran women's soccer team returns home after some players sought asylum, Iranian media reports - AP News
Civil Rights

Iran women's soccer team returns home after some players sought asylum, Iranian media reports - AP News

<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMimwFBVV95cUxPTHpCX1ptSFVUak9YRW5OYm1TbUxjOFE5TzBnMWtGaS1CamJHYmMwcmF4NkdGcjRXckpfZjBGd1BiTVJoWkY0YVRwU2lVVTY0Rm5lTUJCQlRtdFhYcUttcHFBQVl4RDdDVk1xNzhzWFlWSHhadC1SWWgzVEFtLXdXNk1YSnVXdkhsYjU1U2gyV0RTX0lrd205bG5sUQ?oc=5" target="_blank">Iran women's soccer team returns home after some players sought asylum, Iranian media reports</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font color="#6f6f6f">AP News</font>

AP NewsMar 18
NATO pulls security advisory mission out of Iraq after Iranian attacks on European bases
Global

NATO pulls security advisory mission out of Iraq after Iranian attacks on European bases

NATO has pulled its security advisory mission out of Iraq and relocated several hundred personnel involved in the effort to Europe. The move came after a series of attacks from Iran on other troops at British, French and Italian bases in northern Iraq.

PBS NewsHourMar 20
Iran strikes Qatari natural gas plant after Israeli attack on key Iranian gas field
Global

Iran strikes Qatari natural gas plant after Israeli attack on key Iranian gas field

In a dramatic escalation, Iran launched a strike on the world's largest liquified natural gas plant in Qatar and oil refineries in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. It was in retaliation for an Israeli attack against the world's largest gas field in Iran. Charlie D'Agata has more.

CBS NewsMar 19
Middle East crisis live: Trump reportedly considering plans to occupy or blockade Iran’s Kharg Island - The Guardian
National Security

Middle East crisis live: Trump reportedly considering plans to occupy or blockade Iran’s Kharg Island - The Guardian

<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMi0gFBVV95cUxNUG1oWXgwZHM4d0VnZXAtN0JfbWV2dFFIU0FXejVyZjh4QnB3SGdabWtTQTZmTWxIX0Q4NGdIQlNLRHM2QTFYM0dodTBhWmRQSGhfQ3VFQXNEdzFvZnpYMHI5cHZUTEJGSUV5TkNWc1FSTGcxYXhDd0ZydUVrQi1hTDJQYjB3MWpFTWs0c2xhZDVIZXVTTFk0X0lRc3R0cGZGR0RDSDhSVG94Vzktdzg1dWVjanBYclFncWd6YXJBazVMWU5PT3d0Q0N5eGFwZk9YSmc?oc=5" target="_blank">Middle East crisis live: Israel strikes Tehran; Netanyahu suggests need for ‘ground component’ in Iran war</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font color="#6f6f6f">The Guardian</font><strong><a href="https://news.google.com/stories/CAAqNggKIjBDQklTSGpvSmMzUnZjbmt0TXpZd1NoRUtEd2pHdV9qYkVCR2V6bWUwVlpWVC1DZ0FQAQ?hl=en-US&gl=US&ceid=US:en&oc=5" target="_blank">View Full Coverage on Google News</a></strong>

The GuardianMar 20
Who will answer for the Iranian schoolchildren killed in Minab?
Global

Who will answer for the Iranian schoolchildren killed in Minab?

An investigation finds the Minab school strike may have been deliberate. Who can hold the US accountable?

Al JazeeraMar 18
Read Next
Iran threatens to close Strait of Hormuz and hit power plants after Trump's 48-hour deadline
Global

Iran threatens to close Strait of Hormuz and hit power plants after Trump's 48-hour deadline

Iran said the Strait of Hormuz would be "completely closed" immediately if the U.S. follows up on Trump's new threat to attack its power plants. Trump late Saturday set a 48-hour deadline to open the strait.

Continue reading

Did this story change how you see things?

Stories like this only matter when people see them. Help us get verified journalism in front of more eyes.

Share this story

Get the daily digest

Save for later

The Verity Ledger curates verified investigative journalism from trusted sources only.

See our sources