From the Battlefield to the Negotiation Table: Is Qalibaf the Hidden Commander of the Third-Generation Islamic Republic's Equations?

Abdollah Abdi - AbdiMedia / Overlooked Points in These Negotiations

It appears that these negotiations, unlike previous rounds that required detailed coordination with the second Leader, and contrary to prior expectations, have taken a different path. The third Leader of the Islamic Republic, following intelligence coordination prior to the current political talks, has delegated decision-making and policy-making authority to this group headed by Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf.

According to a tweet by Seyed Abbas Mousavi, the Deputy Chief of the President's Office, it has been stipulated—in order to observe diplomatic and political protocols—that an official of equal rank to Qalibaf, such as the President of the Senate, shall head the U.S. delegation, rather than someone in the capacity of Vice President, which is, of course, a matter of formality.

Furthermore, the presence of Rear Admiral Ali Akbar Ahmadian (the Leader's representative in the Defense Council who succeeded Admiral Ali Shamkhani as Secretary of the Council), alongside General Esmail Ahmadi-Moqaddam (President of the Supreme National Defense University, likely in a new capacity) in the absence of other senior military commanders “?!!!”, are thought-provoking and significant points regarding this negotiating team.

And of course, Ali Bagheri Kani continues to have an active and effective presence in the composition of the delegation as a trusted confidant of both the second and third Leaders.

I previously wrote cryptically about Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf and was surprised that he was being discussed both domestically and abroad when, logically, attention should have been diverted from him during that period of crisis—a point I also observed. However, it must now be said that during the 12-day war, Qalibaf left the Parliament and practically assumed command of the war. In the recent war, he held a similar command, along with the administration and leadership of Aerospace affairs as the "father of missiles" of the Islamic Republic within the IRGC.

And of course, do you remember the praise for Pakistan in the first message from Sayyid Mojtaba Khamenei?

Still, one must remain patient until the signs become clearer.