US-Iran Talks reportedly included a secret communication channel with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), as Washington sought assurances that Tehran’s negotiating team had the backing of the country’s powerful security establishment.
According to US media reports, US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard contacted Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani in May. She reportedly asked him to help establish contact with Revolutionary Guards commander Ahmad Vahidi.
Barzani subsequently spoke with Vahidi on May 14, according to the reports.
The reported contact aimed to determine whether Iran’s negotiating delegation had sufficient authority to reach and implement an agreement with Washington.
Vahidi reportedly backs negotiations
During the reported conversation, Vahidi assured the Iranian negotiating team of his support.
He also indicated that he wanted Iran to resolve the crisis with the United States through negotiations rather than continued confrontation.
The message reportedly helped address concerns among US officials about whether an agreement with Iranian negotiators would receive support from senior figures within Iran’s security establishment.
US proposed secret meeting in Erbil
The United States reportedly proposed a confidential meeting between American and Iranian negotiators in Erbil, the capital of Iraq’s Kurdistan Region.
Washington viewed the meeting as a possible way to establish a discreet channel for direct discussions.
However, Iranian officials reportedly raised security concerns over holding the meeting in Erbil. The proposed talks therefore did not take place.
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Pakistan and Qatar relay messages
Despite the setback, communication between Washington and Tehran has continued through indirect channels.
According to the reports, Pakistan and Qatar have continued to relay messages between the two sides.
Both countries have previously helped facilitate communication between Washington and Tehran during periods of heightened tensions.
Barzani offers to help revive talks
Barzani has also reportedly offered to help restart US-Iran negotiations.
His involvement could provide another potential communication channel as direct engagement between Washington and Tehran remains difficult.
The reports also said former Kurdistan Region President Massoud Barzani sent messages to the White House through contacts with American journalists.
The reported outreach highlights efforts by regional figures to keep diplomatic communication open between the two countries.
Washington questioned Iran’s negotiating authority
The reported back-channel contact also sheds light on US concerns during the negotiations.
American officials reportedly feared that Iran’s negotiating delegation lacked sufficient authority to secure a lasting agreement.
Direct communication with senior Revolutionary Guards leadership could therefore help Washington determine whether Iran’s military-security establishment supported a negotiated settlement.
Vahidi’s reported backing for negotiations suggested that at least some senior Iranian security officials were willing to support a diplomatic solution.
Multiple channels remain open
The reported secret contacts come amid broader disagreements between Washington and Tehran over Iran’s nuclear programme, sanctions, the Strait of Hormuz and regional security.
The failed Erbil proposal highlights the challenges facing efforts to establish direct negotiations.
However, Pakistan and Qatar continue to provide potential channels for indirect communication, while Barzani has also offered to assist.
The reported exchanges suggest that diplomatic efforts between Washington and Tehran have continued behind the scenes despite setbacks in public negotiations.
