Washington has been quietly talking to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps through a Kurdish intermediary, according to a report published on Crypto Briefing. The backchannel contacts hint at a potential thaw in U.S.-Iran relations and could affect the prospects of a nuclear deal and broader regional dynamics heading into 2026.
The backchannel
The report says the Trump administration reached out to the IRGC via a Kurdish leader. No further details about the meetings or the intermediary's identity were disclosed in the reporting. The fact that the administration chose a Kurdish channel is notable given the complex relationship between the U.S., Kurdish groups, and Iran.
What's at stake
These secret talks come as nuclear diplomacy remains stalled. If they lead to a broader dialogue, they could change the calculus for a renewed nuclear agreement. They also carry weight for regional geopolitics, particularly in Iraq and Syria where Kurdish forces and Iranian proxies operate in close quarters.
Uncertainty ahead
The report doesn't specify what the U.S. is seeking from the IRGC, or whether the talks have produced any concrete outcomes. It's unclear if the contacts have the blessing of other U.S. agencies or if they're a standalone effort. What is clear is that the administration is willing to open a channel with a group it has long designated as a terrorist organization.
The timing is also sensitive. With 2026 around the corner, any shift in U.S.-Iran relations could ripple through oil markets, regional alliances, and the broader Middle East security landscape. Neither side has publicly acknowledged the talks. The report offers no timeline for the next meeting.
