White House eyes Iran speaker as potential leader

Donald Trump is considering Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf as a possible negotiating partner and potential future leader of Iran, according to Politico. The report, citing White House sources, says this is one of several options under review and that Washington does not intend to favour any individual without further vetting.

Ghalibaf is seen by some officials as a possible interlocutor for the next phase of negotiations, although he has long spoken out against the US and its allies. The administration is seeking to test several candidates and assess their willingness to negotiate and strike a deal.

White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said, ‘these are sensitive diplomatic discussions and the United States will not negotiate through the media.’

According to one administration official, Trump has so far refrained from targeting Kharg Island, Iran’s main oil export hub, as he hopes a future leadership could reach a deal. The island handles the bulk of Iran’s crude exports and is considered central to its economy.

The US president had already announced a five-day postponement of planned attacks on Iran’s energy infrastructure on Monday, in an effort to create space for negotiations. Sources say economic considerations are also playing a role, particularly concerns about the stability of global oil supplies.

Ghalibaf denied that any negotiations with the US were under way, dismissing such reports as political messaging.

(max)