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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
National
Adeshola Ore and Mark Schliebs

Property, a visa and a university job: the Australian links forged by a powerful Iranian politician’s son in Melbourne

Eshagh Ghalibaf, left, and his father, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf
Eshagh Ghalibaf, left, and his father, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf. Composite: Getty Images/Guardian Design

One of Iran’s most powerful men – who has been leading Tehran’s peace negotiations with the US – has for more than a decade built extensive ties to Australia, including through rental income from at least one investment property that was collected by his son.

As Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf plays a central role in the Middle East conflict and the peace negotiations, Guardian Australia can reveal Iran’s parliamentary speaker and his son have links to a research centre at the University of Melbourne. His 38-year-old son, Eshagh Ghalibaf, also secured long-term Australian residency despite Canada twice rejecting his visa applications.

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