White House eyes Iran’s parliament speaker Ghalibaf as potential US-backed leader, Politico reports

Mar 23, 2026

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf attends a press conference in Tehran, Iran November 27, 2024. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS/File Photo — Majid Asgaripour

March 23 (Reuters) - The Trump administration is quietly weighing Iran's parliament speaker, Mohammad ⁠Bagher Ghalibaf, as a potential partner, and even a future leader, Politico reported on Monday, citing two administration officials.

Ghalibaf is seen by at least some in the White House as a workable partner who could lead Iran and negotiate with the Trump administration in the war's next phase, the report said.

(Reporting by Akanksha Khushi in Bengaluru; Editing by Mark Porter)