Iraqi Leader Served as Secret Backchannel Between Trump and Iran's IRGC

Reports revealed on August 17, 2026, that an Iraqi leader acted as a direct, secret intermediary between Donald Trump and Iran's Revolutionary Guard (IRGC) to bypass official negotiators.

The backchannel, utilized in May, allowed for direct communication regarding regional tensions, marking a significant shift in Trump's approach to Iran's military leadership.

This clandestine diplomacy highlights the complexity of US-Iran relations, as both sides sought to manage conflict while maintaining public hardline stances.