Media: Iran's Final Peace Negotiation Representative Resigns

Israel's Channel 12 reports… If true, it will negatively impact U.S.-Iran negotiations

According to reports on the 23rd, Muhammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the Iranian parliament speaker who previously led Iran's final peace negotiations with the United States, has resigned from his role as representative of the negotiation team. Among Iran's senior leadership, Ghalibaf holds a relatively moderate stance toward the U.S. Currently, the hardline Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is gaining significant influence within Iran. If Ghalibaf's resignation is confirmed, U.S.-Iran negotiations will face even greater obstacles.

On the same day, Israeli media outlet The Times of Israel, citing news from Israel's Channel 12, reported: "Ghalibaf has stepped down from leading negotiations with the U.S." The rumor suggests that his resignation stemmed from continuous interference by IRGC factions during talks with the U.S., though this information remains unconfirmed as of now.

In particular, regarding de-escalation of tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, Iran has experienced internal divisions over whether to accept a proposal put forward by Qatar—one of the mediators. The proposal suggested allowing 20 vessels departing from Gulf region ports to pass through, in exchange for permitting 20 Iranian ships to transit, aiming to ease the intense rivalry between the U.S. and Iran over control of the strait. However, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and others rejected this proposal.

On the 11th, at the first round of final peace talks held in Islamabad, Pakistan, Ghalibaf served as the counterpart to U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance. Reports indicate that there are sharp disagreements within Iran about how to position the U.S.-Iran relationship. U.S. President Donald Trump also stated: "We need to receive a unified negotiating proposal from the Iranian government," and extended the ceasefire deadline on the 23rd.

Source: Chosun Ilbo

Original: toutiao.com/article/1863322565251144/

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