'Trump suffering delusions': Iran military denies direct backchannel talks with US
Iran's IRGC has denied claims by US President Donald Trump that backchannel negotiations are occurring between the two nations. Reports suggest that Iraqi Kurdistan President Nechirvan Barzani facilitated communication between the US and Iranian officials.
Why it matters
The denial complicates diplomatic efforts and highlights the volatile nature of US-Iran relations during ongoing regional conflicts.
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on Monday denied US President Donald Trump's claim that Washington was engaged in backchannel talks with the force over the war.Trump, speaking to Fox News on Monday, said the United States had established contact with the IRGC but indicated he was in no rush to end the ongoing war.“They’re good poker players, but they’re dying,” Trump said of the Iranian force, adding, “I have no time schedule. I’m not in a hurry.”The reported channel was facilitated in part by Iraqi Kurdistan President Nechirvan Barzani, according to his office. A spokesperson for Barzani confirmed to Iran International that he had helped relay messages between Washington and Tehran as part of efforts to ease tensions.The confirmation came after an Axios report said the Trump administration had turned to Barzani in May to establish a direct line with the IRGC leadership.
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