Career Timeline of Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf: Major Achievements and Milestones

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: May 12, 2026

Discover the career path of Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf is an Iranian politician and former IRGC Brigadier General, currently serving as Speaker of the Parliament of Iran since 2020. In April 2026, amidst the 2026 Iran War, he was responsible for strategic matters within Iran, while others managed tactical war efforts and daily state functions. He also led the Iranian delegation in ceasefire talks with the U.S., hosted by Pakistan, in April 2026.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

1980: Military Career Begins

In 1980, Ghalibaf began his military career during the Iran–Iraq War.

1982: Chief Commander of IRGC Imam Reza Brigade

In 1982, Ghalibaf became the chief commander of the IRGC Imam Reza Brigade.

1983: Commander of IRGC 5th Nasr Division

From 1983 to 1984, Ghalibaf was the chief commander of the IRGC 5th Nasr Division.

1984: Continued Leadership of IRGC 5th Nasr Division

Ghalibaf continued to serve as the chief commander of the IRGC 5th Nasr Division throughout 1984.

1994: Head of Khatam al-Anbiya Construction Headquarters

From 1994 through 1997, Ghalibaf was head of the Khatam al-Anbiya Construction Headquarters, the engineering arm of the IRGC.

1994: Managing Director of Khatam al-Anbiya Construction Headquarters

In 1994, Ghalibaf became the Managing Director of Khatam al-Anbiya Construction Headquarters, an engineering firm controlled by the IRGC.

1996: Received Title of Major General

In 1996, Ghalibaf received the title of Major General in the IRGC, after completing a master's degree in geopolitics.

1997: Commander of IRGC Air Force

From 1997 to 2000, Ghalibaf was the commander of the IRGC Air Force.

1997: Railway Project Launched

In 1997, under Ghalibaf's management, the Khatam al-Anbiya Construction Headquarters launched a railway connecting Mashhad to Sarakhs.

1999: Appointed Chief of Police Command

Following the 1999 protests, Ghalibaf was appointed Chief of the Police Command of the Islamic Republic of Iran and initiated reforms such as dropping lawsuits against newspapers and modernizing police equipment.

2000: Chief of Police Command

From 2000 to 2005, Ghalibaf was the chief of the Police Command of the Islamic Republic of Iran, marked by accusations of suppressing protestors and arresting intellectuals.

2000: End of Tenure as Commander of Aerospace Force

In 2000, Ghalibaf's tenure as Commander of the Aerospace Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps ended.

April 2005: Resignation from Military Positions

In April 2005, Ghalibaf resigned from his military positions, including his role in the police forces, due to his intention to run for the presidency of Iran.

September 2005: Elected Mayor of Tehran

On September 4, 2005, Ghalibaf was elected as the Mayor of Tehran, succeeding Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

2005: Ghalibaf Runs for President

In 2005, Ghalibaf was a candidate in the Iranian presidential election, ultimately coming in fourth place.

2005: Elected Mayor of Tehran

In 2005, Ghalibaf was elected mayor of Tehran by the Islamic City Council of Tehran, a position he held until 2017.

2007: Re-elected as Mayor of Tehran

In 2007, Ghalibaf was reelected for a second term as Mayor of Tehran.

2009: Ghalibaf Does Not Run for Presidency

Ghalibaf did not run for presidency in the elections in 2009.

July 2012: Ghalibaf Officially Announces Presidential Candidacy

On 16 July 2012, Ghalibaf officially announced his participation in the presidential elections.

May 2013: Ghalibaf's Candidacy Approved by Guardian Council

On 21 May 2013, Ghalibaf's candidacy for the presidential election was approved by the Guardian Council along with seven other candidates.

June 2013: Ghalibaf to Participate in the Presidential Elections

In June 2013, Ghalibaf's advisor announced that he would take part in the presidential elections.

September 2013: Re-elected as Mayor of Tehran

On September 8, 2013, Ghalibaf was elected as Mayor of Tehran for another term, defeating Hashemi in a runoff with 51.6% of the votes.

2013: Ghalibaf Concedes 2013 Presidential Election

In 2013, Ghalibaf received 6,077,292 votes (16.55%) in the Iranian presidential election, placing second behind Hassan Rouhani. Following the announcement of the results in 2013, Ghalibaf published a statement congratulating Rouhani on his election as President of Iran and conceding the election.

April 2017: Ghalibaf begins third presidential campaign

On April 15, 2017, Ghalibaf began his third presidential campaign for the Iranian presidency.

May 2017: Ghalibaf withdraws from presidential campaign

On May 15, 2017, Ghalibaf withdrew from the presidential campaign.

2017: Member of Expediency Discernment Council

From 2017 to 2020, Ghalibaf was a member of the Expediency Discernment Council of the System.

2017: Presidential Campaign Comments

In 2017, during his presidential campaign, Ghalibaf criticized a former minister for traveling to Italy to purchase baby clothes.

2020: Elected as Speaker of Parliament

In 2020, Ghalibaf was elected as the Speaker of the Parliament of Iran after the conservative Iranian Principlists regained the majority in the legislature.

2020: End of Expediency Discernment Council Membership

In 2020, Ghalibaf's membership of the Expediency Discernment Council ended.

June 2024: Ghalibaf approved for 2024 Iranian presidential election

In June 2024, Ghalibaf's candidacy for the Iranian presidential election was approved by the guardian council.

2024: Ghalibaf Runs for Parliamentary Election

Despite scandals, Ghalibaf ran for parliamentary election in 2024 and remained as speaker of the house in the Islamic Republic's parliament.

February 2026: Ghalibaf Emerges as Powerful Wartime Leader

Following the outbreak of war between Israel, the United States and Iran on 28 February 2026, Ghalibaf emerged as one of the most powerful figures in Iran's wartime leadership structure.

March 2026: Ghalibaf Assumes Responsibility for Strategic Decision Making

After the killing of Ali Larijani on 17 March 2026, Ghalibaf quietly assumed responsibility for strategic decision making. Shortly after taking his position as the head of the Supreme National Security Council, Ghalibaf threatened the US that Iran would target US troops stationed in the region.

April 2026: Strategic Role and Ceasefire Talks

As of April 2026, Ghalibaf was handling the strategic matters of Iran during the 2026 Iran War, and led the Iranian delegation in ceasefire talks with a U.S. delegation in Islamabad, Pakistan.