Iran Speaker Ghalibaf Reportedly Quits US Talks

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has reportedly departed from his country's negotiating team during high-stakes talks with the United States in Islamabad, Pakistan, amid efforts to secure a ceasefire extension and resolve the ongoing conflict.

The development, first reported by Israel's Channel 12 and echoed by other outlets including Iran International, occurred this week as delegations grappled with key disputes over Iran's nuclear program, sanctions relief, and the U.S. naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Sources attributed Ghalibaf's exit to internal disagreements, including possible interference from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and tensions over including nuclear issues in the discussions. Tehran has rejected the reports, with Iranian officials and journalists describing them as false.

Ghalibaf, a leading member of the delegation alongside Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, had previously stated on social media, "We do not accept negotiations under the shadow of threats." His reported departure leaves uncertainty about who holds authority to finalize any agreement. Potential successors mentioned include hardliner Saeed Jalili or Araghchi, who...