Trump Reportedly Used Nechirvan Barzani as Secret Backchannel to IRGC

Axios reports that in May the Trump administration used Iraqi Kurdish leader Nechirvan Barzani as a secret backchannel to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). U.S. officials feared Iran’s official negotiators might not have authority, and wanted confirmation from IRGC leadership—particularly Gen. Ahmad Vahidi. According to the report, then–National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard contacted Barzani, who arranged a secure call in Erbil. The IRGC reportedly backed the Iranian negotiating team and preferred negotiations, and Barzani relayed the response back to the U.S