Kurdish leader secretly mediated US-Iran talks: report

Iraqi Kurdish leader Nechirvan Barzani acted as a secret intermediary between the Trump administration and Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), according to a report by Axios citing three sources with direct knowledge. The US administration initiated contact in May after growing doubts that Iranian negotiators, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, possessed the full authority to finalize a deal.

These doubts surfaced when Iran delayed its response to a potential agreement for over ten days, prompting the White House to seek a direct line to the IRGC leadership. Around May 10, then-Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard reportedly contacted Barzani, believing he could facilitate communication with IRGC commander General Ahmad Vahidi. Sources indicate Gabbard made the call with the approval of President Trump and Vice President Vance.

“

Nechirvan Barzani is a pragmatic problem solver. He's respected across the region. He knows nearly everyone in Tehran, as well as Washington. That's who you call in a pinch.

Barzani, who lived and studied in Iran during the Iran-Iraq war and is fluent in Farsi, has established personal relationships with many senior Iranian officials, including top IRGC members. This background made him a trusted figure for such a sensitive mission. "Nechirvan Barzani is a pragmatic problem solver. He's respected across the region. He knows nearly everyone in Tehran, as well as Washington. That's who you call in a pinch," commented Brett McGurk, a former Middle East adviser.

“

But I want to talk directly to General Vahidi.

Following Gabbard's request, Barzani reached out to his IRGC contacts. He stressed his desire to speak directly with General Vahidi. An IRGC official then arrived at Barzani's office in Erbil on May 14, equipped with an encrypted phone for a secure call. General Vahidi confirmed his alignment with the Iranian negotiators, stating, "I fully support them and this is also the position of the IRGC. We prefer to solve this crisis through negotiations."

Barzani immediately briefed Gabbard on Vahidi's response, providing a crucial update to the White House regarding the IRGC's stance on the ongoing negotiations.

“

I fully support them and this is also the position of the IRGC. We prefer to solve this crisis through negotiations.