Media: Rift over nuclear issue forces Iran's Ghalibaf to step down

Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who had been leading Iran’s negotiating team in talks with the United States, has stepped down from his role amid internal disagreements, according to information obtained by Iran International.

The report says Ghalibaf was reprimanded by Iranian authorities after attempting to include the nuclear issue in the scope of discussions with Washington. As a result of the dispute, he was forced to resign from his position as head of the negotiating team.

Following Ghalibaf’s departure, hardline figure Saeed Jalili is being considered as a potential replacement to lead the negotiations. At the same time, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is also seeking to take over responsibility for the talks, indicating a possible internal competition for control of the negotiating process.

By Tamilla Hasanova