Dubai –
Iran’s parliament speaker, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, is taking a more central role as Israeli and U.S. strikes pick off the Islamic Republic’s political leadership, making him a critical figure at a decisive moment.
With fewer of Iran’s most prominent figures remaining, the former Revolutionary Guards commander, Tehran mayor, national police chief and presidential candidate is now a key node between the political, security and clerical elites.
Nearly three weeks after the sudden assault on Iran began with the killing of then Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the leadership in Tehran is engaged in a bitter attritional effort to outlast its assailants.