His appointment to head the delegation comes at one of the most sensitive moments in Tehran-Washington relations, and ahead of the meeting, Ghalibaf himself sent messages of caution and distrust.
Upon arriving in Islamabad, Ghalibaf stated that previous negotiations with the U.S. have typically ended in failure and "breaches of commitments." Nevertheless, he emphasized that the Iranian side came with the intention to explore space for a serious agreement.
He is also a pilot, certified to operate certain Airbus aircraft. He began his military career during the Iran-Iraq war in 1980.
Born in 1961, Ghalibaf joined the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a young man, where he quickly advanced and became one of the commanders during the Iran-Iraq war. His military career has left a strong mark on his political profile and influence within Iranian circles.
He is also widely known for serving as the mayor of Tehran for 12 years, from 2005 to 2017, making him the longest-serving mayor of the Iranian capital in modern history.
During his tenure, numerous infrastructure projects were carried out, including the development of the transportation network and modernization of urban areas of the city. However, his career has also been accompanied by allegations of financial irregularities and abuses, which he and his associates reject.
Ghalibaf has attempted to reach the presidency on several occasions. He ran for president of Iran four times: in 2005, he finished fourth; in 2013, second; in 2017, he withdrew before the vote; while in the early elections of 2024, he finished third.
Ghalibaf holds a master's degree in anthropogeography (human geography) from Islamic Azad University and a doctorate in political geography from Tarbiat Modares University.
Despite years of political turbulence, Ghalibaf has remained one of the key players on the Iranian political scene. Now, as the parliament speaker and head of the Iranian delegation in talks with the U.S., Ghalibaf plays a crucial role at one of the most sensitive moments in Tehran-Washington relations, and the outcome of the negotiations could have far-reaching consequences for the Middle East.
Along with Ghalibaf, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is also in Islamabad.
The Iranian delegation includes high-ranking political, military, and economic officials, including the Iranian foreign minister, the secretary of the defense council, the central bank governor, and several members of parliament.