Major Controversies Surrounding Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf: A Detailed Timeline

A closer look at the most debated and controversial moments involving Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.

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

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: Threatening Letter to President Mohammad Khatami

During the 1999 student protests, Ghalibaf, as commander of the Revolutionary Guards Air Force, was one of the 24 IRGC commanders who sent a threatening letter to President Mohammad Khatami, which was interpreted as a threat to the presidency.

October 2002: Announcement of Moral Security Plan

In October 2002, Ghalibaf announced that he would present the moral security plan, emphasizing the responsibility of law enforcement and other institutions in defining and enforcing moral security against violators.

2002: Comment on Siamak Pourzand’s Arrest

In 2002, Ghalibaf commented on Siamak Pourzand’s arrest, stating Pourzand was involved in anti-cultural activities and supplying Reza Pahlavi with information, which led to the matter being raised with Mr. Khatami.

2002: Summoning of Intellectuals and Journalists

In 2002, under Ghalibaf, the police summoned dozens of intellectuals, journalists, political activists, news website managers, and bloggers for interrogation or temporary detention, leading to protests from the Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance and the Writers' Association.

2003: Presidential Election Debates

During the 2003 presidential election debates, the issue of plainclothes officers confronting students and the attack on the Tarsht dormitory was raised between Qalibaf and Hassan Rouhani.

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.

2004: Comment on Moral Security

In 2004, Ghalibaf commented on moral security, stating that the political significance of improper hijab may outweigh its moral significance and emphasized the need to distinguish between proper and improper hijab based on regulations.

2004: Summoning of Intellectuals and Journalists

In 2004, under Ghalibaf, the police summoned dozens of intellectuals, journalists, political activists, news website managers, and bloggers for interrogation or temporary detention, leading to protests from the Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance and the Writers' Association.

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.

May 2013: Threat to Crush Dormitory Protesters

In a May 2013 report on the Kalameh website, an audio recording of Qalibaf revealed his threat to allow law enforcement forces to enter universities and use force, stating he would 'crush' anyone who comes to the dormitory to do these things.

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: 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.

2014: Widespread Violations by Tehran Municipality

In 2014, reports outlined widespread violations by the Tehran Municipality, including payments to Imam Reza Charity owned by Ghalibaf’s wife, secret bank accounts, judiciary debt to the municipality, demand from Revolutionary Guards Cooperative Foundation, and the purchase and sale of a metro station.

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.

March 2016: Failed Investigation of Tehran Municipality

In March 2016, some members of parliament initiated a plan to investigate the Tehran Municipality, but they failed to secure the necessary votes, and Qalibaf thanked the parliamentarians for rejecting the investigation.

September 2016: Municipal Properties Scandal

In September 2016, Shargh newspaper reported on the transfer of municipal properties to city managers at discounted prices. This report led to imprisonment of the Memari News website editor after being sued by Ghalibaf, highlighting the alleged waste of public resources.

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.

January 2017: Allegations of Misuse of Funds

In January 2017, Mohammad Ali Najafi stated that Ghalibaf signed contracts worth 1.43 billion tomans, but only a fraction went to the company, with the rest allegedly used for election purposes.

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.

February 2024: Ghalibaf's Son's Residency Application Refused

In February 2024, the Canadian Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, Marc Miller, announced that the permanent residency application of Eshagh Ghalibaf, son of Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, was refused.

2025: Response to Iranian Protests

During the 2025–2026 Iranian protests, Ghalibaf called for punishment against protestors whom he described as enemies and terrorists.

2026: Response to Iranian Protests

During the 2025–2026 Iranian protests, Ghalibaf called for punishment against protestors whom he described as enemies and terrorists.

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".