Trump Officials Sought Direct IRGC Talks Ahead of Iran War MOU

Amid the ongoing Iran war, reports say the Trump administration pursued a secret backchannel with Iran’s IRGC via Iraqi Kurdish President Barzani to test whether IRGC leadership would support diplomacy ahead of an MOU; intermediaries indicated IRGC commander Gen. Ahmad Vahidi backed talks, but security concerns prevented them from materializing. The broader situation features continued sanctions pressure, threats to U.S. troops, and carrier redeployments as tensions around the Strait of Hormuz persist.