Career Timeline of Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf: Major Achievements and Milestones

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 military officer. He currently serves as the speaker of the Parliament of Iran, a position he has held since 2020. A Principlist figure, Ghalibaf previously served as a member of the Expediency Discernment Council (2017-2020) and as the mayor of Tehran (2005-2017). His earlier career includes roles as the chief of Police Command of the Islamic Republic of Iran (2000-2005) and commander of the Aerospace Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (1997-2000). He remains a controversial figure within Iranian politics.

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 the Imam Reza Brigade

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

1983: Chief Commander of Nasr Division

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

1984: Chief Commander of Nasr Division

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

1984: Head of Khatam-al Anbiya Construction Headquarters

In 1984, Ghalibaf was appointed head of the Khatam-al Anbiya Construction Headquarters, which is the engineering arm of the IRGC.

1996: Commander of the IRGC Air Force

In 1996, Ali Khamenei appointed Ghalibaf commander of the IRGC Air Force.

1997: Commander of the Aerospace Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps

In 1997, Ghalibaf became the commander of the Aerospace Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

1998: Commander of Aerospace Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps

In 1998, Ghalibaf was named Commander of the Aerospace Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps when Yahya Rahim Safavi took over as IRGC's new commander-in-chief.

1999: Appointed Chief of Police Command of the Islamic Republic of Iran

Following the 1999 protests, Ghalibaf was appointed chief of the Police Command of the Islamic Republic of Iran by Ali Khamenei. He then initiated some reforms in the forces.

2000: Chief of Police Command of the Islamic Republic of Iran

In 2000, Ghalibaf became the chief of Police Command of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

2002: Representative of President Mohammad Khatami

In 2002, Ghalibaf was appointed as Representative of President Mohammad Khatami during a campaign to combat smuggling.

April 2005: Resignation from Military Positions

On April 5, 2005, Ghalibaf submitted his resignation from the military positions, including the police forces, due to his intention to run for the presidency of Iran.

September 2005: Elected as Tehran's Mayor

In September 2005, Ghalibaf was elected as Tehran's mayor by the City Council of Tehran.

September 2005: Ghalibaf Elected Mayor of Tehran

In September 2005, Ghalibaf was elected as the Mayor of Tehran by the City Council, succeeding Mahmoud Ahmadinejad with 8 out of 15 votes.

2005: Mayor of Tehran

In 2005, Ghalibaf became the mayor of Tehran.

2005: Ghalibaf's Presidential Candidacy

In 2005, Ghalibaf ran for president in the Iranian presidential election, and came in fourth. He made a populist appeal during the campaigns.

2005: Presidential Election Candidate

In the 2005 presidential election, Ghalibaf was a candidate, finishing fourth with 14% of the vote.

2007: Ghalibaf Reelected as Mayor

In 2007, Ghalibaf was reelected for a second term as Mayor of Tehran after receiving 12 votes with no opponent.

2009: Ghalibaf's Administration and the Green Movement

During the 2009 Green Movement, Ghalibaf's administration as Mayor of Tehran provided logistical support for the security crackdown, with Ghalibaf defending the use of force.

July 2012: Ghalibaf Announces Candidacy

On 16 July 2012, Ghalibaf officially announced that he would take part in the presidential elections in June 2013.

May 2013: Ghalibaf's Candidacy Approved

On 21 May 2013, Ghalibaf's candidacy was approved by the Guardian Council along with seven other candidates for Iranian presidential election. He formed a coalition called '2+1'.

September 2013: Ghalibaf Reelected as Mayor of Tehran

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

2013: Presidential Election Candidate

In the 2013 presidential election, Ghalibaf was a candidate, finishing second to Hassan Rouhani with 17% of the vote.

2016: Investigation Planned and Halted

In 2016, an investigation was planned to examine the performance of the Tehran Municipality during Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf's tenure as mayor, but it was halted due to opposition from parliament members, with allegations of a 65 billion tomans bribe being used to stop the investigation.

May 2017: Withdrawal from Presidential Election

On May 15, 2017, Ghalibaf withdrew from the 2017 election in favor of Ebrahim Raisi's candidacy.

2017: Criticism during 2017 presidential campaign

During Ghalibaf's 2017 presidential campaign, he criticized a former minister for traveling to Italy to purchase baby clothes.

2017: Member of the Expediency Discernment Council

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

2017: Yas Holding Company Scandal

In 2017, Ghalibaf was accused of using his influence to cover up corruption scandals involving the Yas Holding Company during his term as mayor.

2020: Speaker of the Parliament of Iran

In 2020, Ghalibaf became the speaker of the Parliament of Iran.

2020: Elected as Speaker of Iran Parliament

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

2022: Leaked Audio Recording on Yas Holding Scandal

In early 2022, a leaked audio recording was published by Radio Farda, which purported to show officials discussing Ghalibaf's efforts to cover up the Yas Holding Company scandal.

June 2024: Ghalibaf's Candidacy Approved for the 2024 Election

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

2024: Ghalibaf runs for parliamentary election in 2024

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

2024: Presidential Election Candidate

In the 2024 presidential election, Ghalibaf was a candidate, coming in third with 14% of the vote.

February 2026: Ghalibaf Assumed Responsibility for Strategic Decision Making

Following the outbreak of war between Iran, Israel, and the United States on 28 February 2026, Ghalibaf emerged as a powerful figure, assuming responsibility for strategic decision making after the killing of Ali Larijani.