Iranian press review: Reports of US backchannel to Ghalibaf cause backlash in Tehran
Speculation of talks with Ghalibaf sparks criticism
Reports suggesting that the US may be engaging in negotiations with Iranian Parliamentary Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and speculation that President Donald Trump could support his rise within Iran’s power structure have triggered widespread backlash among Iranians.
Ghalibaf, a former senior commander in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), has many times spoken openly about his role in the violent suppression of the 1999 student movement. He also served as mayor of Tehran for 12 years, a tenure marked by repeated allegations of corruption.
Tehran has denied that any negotiations with Washington are underway. Still, the mention of Ghalibaf as a potential negotiator has drawn sharp criticism on social media, where many Iranians highlighted his record and questioned the legitimacy of engaging with him.
Ata Mohammad Tabrizi, an Iranian journalist based in Turkey, wrote on X that Ghalibaf is “one of the most corrupt and opportunistic figures in the Islamic Republic”.
Another journalist, Maryam Moghadam, also pointed to allegations surrounding Ghalibaf’s financial record.
She linked his name and family to multiple corruption cases, citing controversies ranging from his wife’s charity activities to financial dealings involving his sons, including property and residency issues abroad.
On Thursday, Reuters, citing a Pakistani source, reported that Israel has taken Ghalibaf and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi off its hit list after Pakistan requested that Washington not target them.
Patients fear disruption to cancer treatment
As the US-Israeli war on Iran enters its fourth week, the Shargh daily has reported that cancer patients are facing problems in finding hospital beds and vital medicines.
US-based Hrana human rights group says more than 2,500 people have been killed and over 5,000 wounded in Iran since the start of the war. The growing number of casualties has put heavy pressure on the country’s healthcare system.
According to Shargh, hospital cancer wards are still open, but patients face rising drug prices, shortages of some medicines, and higher treatment costs.
Some patients were forced to leave Tehran or avoid hospitals due to ongoing air strikes, as hospitals, clinics and other health centres have been hit in the attacks.
One patient told the daily, “I’m afraid something might happen to my doctor. What if the hospital where I get chemotherapy is bombed? If that happens, it will be very hard to find another doctor or hospital and continue my treatment.”
Criticism grows over attacks on gas field and scientists
Israel’s strike on Iran’s part of the South Pars gas field, the world’s largest gas field shared with Qatar, has drawn criticism from a number of opposition figures over the US-Israeli war on Iran.
Peyman Jafari, a researcher of contemporary Iranian history, said the attack shows what he sees as the real aim of the war.
Speaking to Radio Zamaneh, he said: “This is not about regime change. They want to damage Iran’s economic base and push the country toward social collapse.”
Ezzat Dolatabadi, a former employee at the gas complex, pointed to the years of work by Iranian experts and labourers to build the site. He said the strike is effectively destroying the result of that effort.
He added: “This was not built overnight, and it cannot be rebuilt overnight after destruction or occupation.”
Nazli Kamouri, a writer and researcher based in Canada, also criticised the attacks and the assassination of Iranian scientists by Israel.
She said: “Knowledge and infrastructure do not belong to the mullahs or the IRGC. They are the result of the work of engineers and workers.”
Pahlavi mocked online as 'king of confiscation'
Reza Pahlavi, son of Iran’s toppled shah, has faced a wave of online mockery after issuing a series of public calls in recent days.
Pahlavi, who has supported Israel and the joint US-Israeli military attack on Iran, urged people to mark end-of-year traditions such as Chaharshanbe Suri and visiting graves before Nowruz, the Persian New Year.
His comments quickly drew ridicule online as these are already long-standing customs that Iranians observe every year. Many accused him of trying to claim credit for national traditions.
One user wrote: “That’s it, from now on I officially call him the ‘King of Confiscation.’ People have always been going to cemeteries at the end of the year, and they’re always crowded. Now he shows up and acts like he made them crowded.”
Another user joked in a video, using the hashtag “Neither to [religious] leadership, nor to Pahlavi”: “Give him two days more and he’ll say if you support me, go visit your family for the New Year. After that, he’ll probably say take the Islamic Republic flag and go to the streets.”
A third user wrote sarcastically: “So the New Year is also happening because of your call. Great. Maybe also tell people to eat Sabzi Polo with fish and set up the Haft-Seen table, just to make sure everything gets done.”
This article was sourced from Middle East Eye.
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