Hardliner Saeed Jalili Poised to Lead Iran’s Negotiating Team Amid Internal Power Struggle

Further signs of turmoil have emerged in Iran’s U.S. negotiating team as hardliner Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf appears set to be replaced by veteran conservative Saeed Jalili, a figure known for his uncompromising stance on nuclear negotiations.

According to Iran International, Jalili, 60, is expected to succeed Ghalibaf following the latter’s sudden departure amid growing internal disputes within the Iranian political establishment. Jalili currently heads Iran’s ultra-hardline Stability Front (Paydari), described by regional experts as a “bastion of ultraconservatism” within the country’s political landscape.

Ali Safavi, an official with the Iranian opposition coalition National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), told Fox News Digital that Jalili “has evolved from a nuclear negotiator to an influential actor within the regime.” This evolution represents a significant shift in Iran’s diplomatic approach toward the West.

The leadership change comes at a critical moment in U.S.-Iran relations. President Donald Trump recently canceled plans for American envoys to travel to Pakistan for peace talks with Iran, asserting that the United States holds significant leverage in the relationship. The cancellation highlights the increasingly volatile nature of diplomatic efforts between the two nations.

Ghalibaf’s reported removal stems from his attempt to incorporate nuclear issues into discussions with Washington, a move that triggered substantial backlash within Iran’s political establishment. This internal conflict underscores the deeply divided perspectives on diplomatic engagement within Iran’s power structure.

The rivalry between Jalili and Ghalibaf is not new. According to regional analysts, their political competition spans more than a decade and intensified during the 2024 elections when Jalili refused to withdraw his candidacy, ultimately contributing to the victory of President Masoud Pezeshkian.

“The increased visibility of latent divisions stems from recurring nationwide uprisings, deep economic crises and the pressures of war, all of which have intensified internal feuding,” Safavi explained. “Far from signaling transformation, these developments reflect accelerating erosion and mounting pressure, deepening fractures and leaving the regime ever weaker and more vulnerable.”

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi continues seeking a prominent role in negotiations. He is currently in Islamabad after returning from diplomatic talks in Muscat, Oman, focused on regional conflicts, with reports indicating plans for subsequent travel to Moscow. Araghchi’s movements highlight competing centers of influence over Iran’s diplomatic strategy.

Jalili’s potential appointment signals a hardening of Iran’s stance toward international engagement, with greater emphasis on resistance over compromise. His background is deeply rooted in Iran’s conservative power structures. A former member of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Jalili lost his right leg at 21 during the Iran-Iraq War, earning him the title of “Living Martyr” – a distinction that carries significant political weight in the Iranian system.

From 2007 to 2013, Jalili served as Iran’s top nuclear negotiator under President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and later mounted three presidential campaigns. He also held the position of secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, giving him extensive experience in Iran’s security apparatus.

The Paydari Front, which Jalili leads, has consistently opposed engagement with Western powers, particularly rejecting the 2015 nuclear deal. The organization advocates a doctrine of “active resistance” against Western influence. During Hassan Rouhani’s presidency, Jalili established what analysts described as a “shadow government” to counter the administration’s policies, especially regarding nuclear negotiations.

Jalili’s public statements provide insight into his worldview. On April 7, he wrote on social media platform X: “Yes — ‘infrastructure’ is on the verge of collapse; the infrastructure of domination and the American order. And after that, a better foundation will be built.” A day earlier, he posted: “‘Shut up’ is not the appropriate response to Trump’s ramblings; let him speak more. Nothing is more effective in laying bare the true nature of the United States than Trump’s outbursts.”

Safavi cautions against interpreting factional divisions as fundamental differences in objectives. “Within this regime, there are a number of constants espoused by all factions,” he noted, including “repression, the export of terrorism and the pursuit of nuclear weapons.”

“The factions all ultimately move along a common path: the preservation of power. They differ in methods, not in objectives,” Safavi added, reminding that throughout the Islamic Republic’s 45-year history, so-called reformists have governed for nearly half that time while presiding over some of the regime’s most controversial actions.

These leadership changes come as the United States has increased economic pressure on Tehran, with new sanctions targeting nearly 40 entities in Iran’s oil network in China and expanded military deployments to the Strait of Hormuz – moves that will likely test the approach of Iran’s emerging diplomatic leadership.