Ghalibaf in Closed-Door Conversations: “Iran Cannot Survive Like This Much Longer” Sources close to

Ghalibaf in Closed-Door Conversations: “Iran Cannot Survive Like This Much Longer”

Sources close to Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf say that he describes the situation in Iran as desperate: the American blockade is working, the currency is collapsing, inflation is high, funds are running out, and the regime is struggling to control the population. According to him, the damage caused by the war appears almost impossible to repair.

Ghalibaf says that the government and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps misjudged Trump. They did not believe he could sustain the pressure for so long, but now realize that he has identified Iran’s weak point. According to Ghalibaf, the regime is struggling even to anticipate Trump’s next move.

He also claims that Iran has effectively lost control of the Strait of Hormuz and has almost no bargaining chips left.

When asked about the solution, his answer is: “war” - preferably close to the U.S. midterm elections - in the hope that Trump will lose control of both chambers of Congress, become weaker, and be forced to return to negotiations.

Ghalibaf reportedly said, “We have all stolen billions, but we cannot keep the people under control much longer.”

His criticism is directed especially at Ahmad Vahidi. Ghalibaf argues that the hardline approach led by the IRGC commander is endangering Iran and that, unless this policy changes, the country will continue to deteriorate.

Ghalibaf does not believe that he is a target of Israel or the United States. According to him, he and several others are among the few still attempting to bring reason to the IRGC’s policies - and the Americans know it.

Most notably, throughout these conversations, he does not mention Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei even once.

(C14)