Scoop: Inside Trump's secret backchannel to Iran's Revolutionary Guard
Summary
In May, the Trump administration used a secret communication channel through Nechirvan Barzani, president of Iraq's Kurdistan region, to speak directly with Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). This helped U.S. negotiators understand if Iranian negotiators were actually authorized to make a deal, amid confusion about Iran’s leadership during an ongoing conflict.Key Facts
- U.S. negotiators wanted to end the war with Iran but doubted if Iran’s negotiators spoke for the IRGC.
- The Trump administration bypassed Iran’s official negotiators and contacted IRGC leaders directly.
- Nechirvan Barzani, trusted by both U.S. and IRGC leaders, was chosen to help communicate.
- Barzani speaks Farsi and has good personal ties to Iranian officials from his time living and studying in Iran.
- A secure phone call took place on May 14 between Barzani and IRGC General Ahmad Vahidi to confirm IRGC's support for Iranian negotiators.
- The U.S. used this backchannel with approval from President Trump and Vice President Vance.
- The IRGC’s power increased due to recent leadership disruptions in Iran, complicating negotiations.
- Despite a brief memorandum of understanding, the deal between the U.S. and Iran fell apart.
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