Secret Channel Links Trump Administration to Iran's Revolutionary Guards Commander Amid Negotiations
How 2 Israeli newsrooms covered this story — translated into English and compared side by side.
First reported by N12 · 34 minutes ago
What happened
In May 2026, the Trump administration used Nechirvan Barzani, President of Iraqi Kurdistan, as a secret channel to confirm that Iran's Revolutionary Guards fully supported ongoing nuclear negotiations. Despite this rare direct contact and a proposed secret meeting in Erbil, talks stalled amid Iranian security concerns and fragmented decision-making. The episode reveals the difficulty the U.S. faces in negotiating with Iran's complex power structure dominated by the IRGC.
- 01Trump administration used Iraqi Kurdistan President Nechirvan Barzani as a secret channel to Iran's IRGC.
- 02Barzani confirmed IRGC commander Ahmad Vahidi supported the ongoing nuclear negotiations.
- 03U.S. proposed secret talks in Erbil, but Iranian security fears prevented them.
- 04The IRGC's growing power complicates U.S.-Iran negotiations after Khamenei's assassination.
- 05Pakistani and Qatari mediators continue shuttling messages without major progress.
- 06Barzani recently offered to help revive talks, but U.S. doubts remain due to Iran's stance on the Strait of Hormuz.
Summary translated & synthesized from the sources below by baba. Read each original for the full report.
Full coverage · 2 outlets
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