Trump Used Barzani to Reach IRGC in May, Seeking Ahmad Vahidi's Backing
Updated
Updated · The Jerusalem Post · Aug 16
Trump Used Barzani to Reach IRGC in May, Seeking Ahmad Vahidi's Backing
3 articles · Updated · The Jerusalem Post · Aug 16
Summary
May 14 became a key checkpoint in U.S.-Iran contacts when Nechirvan Barzani told the Trump administration that IRGC commander Ahmad Vahidi backed the ongoing negotiations.
May 10 doubts over who actually led the IRGC drove Tulsi Gabbard, with Trump's approval, to ask the Iraqi Kurdish leader to verify whether Iran's military leadership supported its civilian negotiators.
Barzani's Iran ties—he speaks Farsi, studied in Tehran and knows senior IRGC figures—helped him secure a direct call with Vahidi and relay the message back to Washington.
Erbil was later floated as a site for secret talks, but Iran balked over security fears, including concern Israeli agents could target delegates traveling to or from the meeting.
Talks remain stalled over the Strait of Hormuz, though Barzani has recently signaled he is still willing to help restart the channel.