Article:
Reports suggest that Iranian Parliament’s Speaker, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, may play a crucial role in potential US-Iran talks, following the recent escalation of tensions between the two nations. According to a US media report, a senior official from the Trump administration said that Qalibaf could be a viable option for negotiations, similar to how the US installed Delcy Rodriguez as the President of Venezuela after capturing Nicolas Maduro.
Some reports suggest that elevating Qalibaf’s importance could be a strategic move by the US to delay the impending pressure and rising oil prices in the global market, resulting from the ongoing war. However, if we look at Qalibaf’s past, he may not be the ideal choice for negotiations with the US.
Qalibaf, a former Iranian Air Force pilot, has a history of being a hardliner and has held several key government positions, including Mayor of Tehran and Police Chief. He has also run for the presidency of Iran multiple times, including in the 2024 presidential election, where he came in third place behind President Ebrahim Raisi.
On Friday, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi met with citizens in Tehran, where he expressed his support for the people and condemned the recent attacks on the country. The president also paid tribute to a police officer who was killed in a 2019 attack, and his daughter was arrested and charged with his murder.
In a separate incident, students at a university chased a professor, who was later seen being assaulted by a student in a viral video. Abbas Araghchi, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister, said that the country is facing an “unlawful war” imposed by the US and Israel.
The Israeli military confirmed that one of its soldiers was killed and four others were injured in a Hezbollah anti-tank missile attack in southern Lebanon. An Afghan refugee, who was accused of kidnapping and raping a 12-year-old girl, was convicted of the crimes.
According to reports, the Trump administration is considering various options to escalate the conflict, including a full-scale attack on Iran. Germany has stated that it will not pursue direct negotiations with Iran over the Strait of Hormuz, which has been closed to enemy vessels by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps.
India and Vietnam have announced a reduction in taxes on fuel, while emergency responders in Iran are working to rescue people trapped under the rubble after the recent attacks. Despite ongoing tensions, Iran has managed to earn approximately $139 million per day from oil exports.
A panel of experts is set to discuss a proposal to increase electricity generation capacity from coal to meet the country’s growing energy needs.
