Iran’s top diplomat, Saeed Jalili, is expected to replace Ghalibaf in the nuclear talks
Trump cancels Iran peace talks, citing US power
President Donald Trump has unceremoniously canceled a trip to Pakistan for Iran peace talks, saying the US holds ‘all the cards’ and Iran’s leaders can call at any time. Correspondent Matt Finn reports on the ongoing negotiations, while retired Navy Captain Brent Sadler discusses the increased deployment of US troops in the Strait of Hormuz and new economic sanctions targeting nearly 40 organizations in Iran’s oil network in China.
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There are further signs of turmoil in Iran’s negotiating team as Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf looks set to be replaced by a veteran who is known to reject the nuclear deal, according to reports.
Iran International reported on April 24 that Saeed Jalili, 60 – who already leads what has been described as a “shadow government” – is expected to take over from Ghalibaf following his sudden departure amid internal strife.
Jalili also leads an Iranian group known as the Stability Front (Paydari), which is known as “the center of ultraconservatism in Iran,” according to reports.
Ali Safavi, a senior official with Iran’s opposition coalition, the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), told Fox News Digital that Jalili “has already become a nuclear negotiator and an influential figure in the government.”
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Jalili Saeed is expected to take over from Ghalibaf following his abrupt departure amid internal disputes. (Majid Saeedi/Getty Images)
Ghalibaf was reportedly forced to step down after trying to bring the nuclear issue into talks with Washington, a move that caused a political backlash in Iran.
President Donald Trump had canceled plans for the US delegation to go to Pakistan for peace talks with Iran on April 25.
The rivalry between Jalili and Ghalibaf is said to have lasted more than ten years and intensified during the 2024 elections, when Jalili refused to step down, which led to the victory of President Masoud Pezeshkian.
Safavi said, “The increasing visibility of hidden divisions is due to ongoing riots throughout the country, deep economic problems and military pressures, all of which have intensified internal tensions.
“Far from showing change, these events show rapid erosion and growing pressure, deepening cracks and leaving the state weak and vulnerable,” he added.
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Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf speaks during a press conference in Tehran, Iran, Nov. 27, 2024. (Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS)
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also wants to continue to lead the talks, highlighting competing institutions to influence Iran’s diplomatic strategy, the sources said.
Araghchi is in Islamabad, Pakistan, after returning from a short trip to Muscat, Oman, where he held high-level talks on the conflict. Reports say that Araghchi will travel to Moscow.
Jalili’s possible nomination, however, points to the hardening of Iran’s stance, with a strong emphasis on resistance to compromise.
“Within this regime, there is a fixed minority supported by all parties,” said Safavi before highlighting that this is “repression, the export of terrorism and the pursuit of nuclear weapons.”
“The parties are ultimately moving in the same direction: the maintenance of power. They differ in methods, not in goals,” Safavi warned.
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Jalili was Iran’s chief nuclear negotiator from 2007 to 2013 under President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and later ran for president three times. (Morteza Nikoubazl/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Jalili was Iran’s chief nuclear negotiator from 2007 to 2013 under President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and later ran for president three times. He also served as the secretary of the Supreme National Security Council.
A former member of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Jalili lost his right leg at the age of 21 during the Iran-Iraq War, earning him the title of “Living Martyr”.
The Paydari Front, which is associated with it, opposes negotiations with the West – especially the 2015 nuclear agreement – and promotes the doctrine of “active resistance.”
During Hassan Rouhani’s presidency, Jalili also established a “shadow government” to counter the administration’s policies, particularly the nuclear deal.
On April 7, he wrote about X: “Yes – the ‘infrastructure’ is about to collapse; the infrastructure of American governance and order. And after that, a better foundation will be built.”
The day before, he wrote: “‘Shut up’ is not an appropriate response to Trump ramblings; let him talk more. Nothing is more effective in revealing the true state of the United States than Trump’s outbursts.”
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“In dealing with this regime,” said Safavi, “we must remember that in the 45 years since the mullahs consolidated their rule in 1981 by ending all peaceful political life, the so-called reformers have ruled for almost half of that time – presiding over other dark crimes.”
“These include the 1988 massacre of 30,000 political prisoners, the killing of dissidents abroad, the assassination of intellectuals in Iran and the pursuit of nuclear weapons.
