The US named a candidate in Iran who is being considered as the main negotiator and even the future leader of the country
Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has repeatedly threatened the United States with retaliation.
Photo: Morteza Nikoubazl/NurPhoto via Getty Images
The Trump administration views the Iranian parliament speaker as a potential partner — and even a future leader — as the US president hints at a shift from military pressure to a negotiated end to the conflict, writes Politico.
Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, a 64-year-old politician who has repeatedly threatened the US and its allies with retaliation, is being considered as a possible partner who could lead Iran and negotiate with the Trump administration in the next phase of the war, according to two administration officials. However, the White House is not yet ready to make decisions regarding a specific individual, attempting to test several candidates in search of someone willing to make a deal, said these two officials, who were granted anonymity to describe internal deliberations.
"He's a very promising option," one administration official said, cautioning that no decisions have yet been made. "He's one of the highest... But we need to vet them, and we can't rush this."
The administration's interest in finding a negotiating partner indicates a desire to find a way out of the situation in which Iran rapidly found itself, which has shaken global markets, led to rising oil prices, and renewed concerns about inflation. This also provides an answer to an important question after the US and Israel eliminated Tehran's leadership: what, and who, will be next?
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated: "These are very delicate diplomatic discussions, and the U.S. will not negotiate through the media."
Donald Trump on Monday hinted at contacts with "very strong" individuals within Iran and said there would be a five-day pause in "any military strikes on Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure" while Tehran and Washington conduct diplomatic negotiations.
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“Мне патэлефанаваў гэты хлопец з Ірана. Сказаў, што ён зараз галоўны. Ён зараз самы галоўны ў Іране. Выдатны хлопец! Сказаў, што гатовы заключыць здзелку, адмовіцца ад ядзернай зброі. Папрасіў мяне перавесці тры мільярды долараў на юрыста, каб аформіць гэтую здзелку. Я зрабіў гэта! Заўтра ён патэлефануе, і мы сустрэнемся. Здзелка! »