The Trump administration is reportedly weighing the possibility of engaging Iran’s parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, as a potential interlocutor in negotiations and even considering him as a possible future leader, signaling a shift toward diplomacy as the conflict continues.

According to a Politico report published Monday, officials in Washington are exploring options beyond military pressure and are looking at figures within Iran who might be willing to enter talks aimed at ending hostilities.

Ghalibaf, 64, who has previously issued threats of retaliation against the United States and its allies, is nonetheless being viewed by some White House officials as a pragmatic figure who could play a role in future negotiations or leadership, according to two administration officials cited in the report.

Those officials stressed that the administration has not settled on any one individual and is reviewing a range of potential figures to determine who might be open to reaching an agreement. They spoke anonymously due to the sensitivity of the internal discussions.

“He’s a hot option,” one official said, adding that no decisions have been made. “He’s one of the highest…But we got to test them, and we can’t rush into it.”

Responding to the report, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said, “These are sensitive diplomatic discussions and the United States will not negotiate through the news media.”

The report surfaced shortly after President Donald Trump announced a temporary halt to “any and all military strikes against Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure” for five days, in order to give diplomacy a chance. He also indicated that Washington is reaching out to “very solid” individuals within Iran.

Ghalibaf later rejected claims that he was involved in negotiations with the United States, issuing a firm denial on social media.

“Our people demand the complete and humiliating punishment of the aggressors. All officials stand firmly behind their Leader and people until this goal is achieved,” Ghalibaf wrote.

According to the speaker, “No negotiations with America have taken place. Fake news is intended to manipulate financial and oil markets and to escape the quagmire in which America and Israel are trapped.”

Despite those denials, administration officials cited in the report suggested that his remarks may have been intended for domestic audiences rather than reflecting the full picture.

“We’re in the testing phase of really trying to figure out who can rise, who wants to rise, who tries to rise,” one official said. “And then as people rise, we’ll do a quick test, and if they’re radical, we’ll take them out.”

A senior White House official added that Trump is seeking to reach a peace agreement within days, with progress tied to developments involving the Strait of Hormuz and a potential ceasefire.

“POTUS, like anyone, would rather have peace than war,” the official said.

{Matzav.com}