Hidden backchannel: Barzani bridges Washington and Iran's IRGC during Trump talks
TL;DR
Trump administration officials used Nechirvan Barzani, president of Iraqi Kurdistan, as a direct link to Iran's Revolutionary Guards to test alignment on a potential deal after Iranian negotiators appeared not to be empowered; Barzani contacted IRGC commander Gen. Ahmad Vahidi, who confirmed IRGC support for negotiations, and a proposed Erbil meeting never happened due to security concerns, illustrating the challenge of identifying decision-makers in Iran as the IRGC consolidates influence.
- Scoop: Inside Trump's secret backchannel to Iran's Revolutionary Guard Axios
- IRGC told US via secret backchannel that it backs Iran’s negotiators — report The Times of Israel
- Fluent in Farsi, trusted by Trump: The 'secret mediator' between US and Iran Ynetnews
- Trump’s secret backchannel to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard revealed: Axios Crypto Briefing
- US said to have negotiated directly with IRGC Breakingthenews.net
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