politics
March 25, 2026
US and Israeli officials insist Iran's speaker is negotiating despite denials
Officials in Israel and the United States claim Mohammad Qalibaf, the speaker of the Iranian Parliament, is participating in constructive talks with the U.S., but he says negotiations have not even begun.
TL;DR
- US and Israeli officials allege Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Qalibaf is engaged in talks with the Trump administration.
- Qalibaf denies these claims, labeling them 'fake news' intended to manipulate markets.
- Unnamed sources indicate Qalibaf is leading discussions, while others suggest he might be a representative in future talks.
- Iranian sources indicate preliminary communications have occurred via intermediaries in Pakistan, Turkey, and Egypt.
- The U.S. President has spoken of ongoing negotiations but has not identified specific Iranian counterparts.
- Opposition groups argue Qalibaf is a hardliner and not a viable counterpart for peace talks.
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