Trump administration sought Barzani’s help for secret channel with Iran’s IRGC: Axios
Axios reports Trump officials enlisted Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani as a secret intermediary to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard during the war.
Key Takeaways
AIA report by US outlet Axios has revealed that the administration of President Donald Trump turned to a secret communication channel with the leadership of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in mid-May, after doubting the ability of official Iranian negotiators to make binding decisions to end the war.
Three informed sources told Axios that the US administration selected Nechirvan Barzani, President of Iraq’s Kurdistan Region, as a covert intermediary due to his close ties with both American and Iranian officials, including senior IRGC figures.
The report noted that the war reshaped Iran’s leadership hierarchy, with the IRGC consolidating its influence following the assassination of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and several top political officials. Uncertainty persisted over the status of the new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, during the initial weeks of the conflict.
The secret channel began after the April 8 ceasefire, as the US and Iran sought to negotiate an end to the war. However, the White House believed Iranian negotiators Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf and Abbas Araghchi lacked sufficient authority, and that the IRGC was intervening in the talks.
By May 10, US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard contacted Barzani, informing him that the administration believed he could reach IRGC commander General Ahmad Vahidi.
Barzani agreed and reached out to his contacts within the IRGC, then spoke directly with Vahidi on May 14 via a secure call in Erbil. Vahidi reportedly expressed support for the Iranian negotiators and a preference for resolving the crisis through dialogue.
Subsequently, the Trump administration proposed that Barzani host secret negotiations in Erbil between senior US and Iranian officials. However, the Iranian side raised security concerns about possible Israeli intelligence presence in the region, and the meeting did not take place.
Currently, Pakistani and Qatari mediators continue to relay messages between Washington and Tehran, but no tangible progress has been made.
The report added that Barzani recently offered to help resume negotiations, while former Middle East adviser Brett McGurk argued that the core issue lies in Iran’s policy toward the Strait of Hormuz, not the choice of intermediary.