Iran dismisses US-IRGC backchannel as "staged performance"

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei has dismissed reports of secret contacts between the United States and Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), describing them as an attempt to manufacture the appearance of divisions within Tehran’s leadership.

Baghaei said the reports of backchannel communications between Washington and the IRGC through Iraq’s Kurdistan Region were an “artificially staged performance” designed to create the impression of disagreements among Iranian state institutions.

His comments came after reports that the United States had established an unofficial channel to senior IRGC officials through Kurdistan President Nechirvan Barzani.

Meanwhile, Baghaei said Iran and Oman were continuing discussions on ensuring safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.

He said the two sides had already agreed on the main parameters governing shipping routes and planned to formalize the arrangements through a package of documents, including a navigation map and a joint statement.

Baghaei also addressed the prospect of additional US sanctions, including potential measures targeting Chinese oil-refining companies and banks.

He said such restrictions would not alter Tehran’s position, stressing that Iran was prepared to use all available means to counter US pressure.

By Vafa Guliyeva