Challenges Faced by Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf: Obstacles and Turning Points

Life is full of challenges, and Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf faced many. Discover key struggles and how they were overcome.

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.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

July 1999: Ghalibaf and the 1999 Student Protests

During the July 1999 student protests, Ghalibaf, as commander of the IRGC Air Force, signed a threatening letter to President Mohammad Khatami and later admitted to personally participating in violence against protesters.

1999: Commander Dismissed Following Student Protests

In 1999, the previous commander was dismissed following the 1999 student protests.

2003: Ghalibaf's Involvement in Student Demonstration Crackdown

In 2003, as Chief of the National Police, Ghalibaf was involved in the crackdown on student demonstrations at Tehran University and later boasted of ordering the use of gunfire against protesters.

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.

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.

2013: Leaked audio revealed Ghalibaf's participation in violence against protestors

In a leaked 2013 audio recording, Ghalibaf admitted to personally participating in street-level violence, stating he was beating protestors with wooden sticks.

2013: Presidential Election Candidate

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

2013: Ghalibaf recounts using gunfire against protestors

In the leaked 2013 recording, Ghalibaf boasted of bypassing National Security Council protocols to order the use of gunfire against protestors.

January 2016: Plasco Building Fire

In January 2016, a massive fire broke out at the Plasco building in Tehran, leading to its collapse. The Tehran Municipality, under Ghalibaf's leadership, faced accusations of negligence and crisis mismanagement following the incident.

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.

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.

April 2022: "LayetteGate" Scandal

In April 2022, a scandal known as "LayetteGate" or "SismuniGate" arose after photos surfaced of Ghalibaf's wife and family returning from a luxury shopping trip in Turkey with 20 pieces of luggage, leading to calls for his resignation.

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.

2024: Presidential Election Candidate

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

2026: Ghalibaf's Role in the 2025-2026 Iranian Protests

During the 2025–2026 Iranian protests, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, as Speaker of the Islamic Consultative Assembly of Iran, played a role in the government's response. He publicly characterized the government's measures as a "war against terrorists".