Iran officials reportedly in secret talks with West without Raisi's knowledge

Secret talks between representatives of the Iranian ruling establishment and western officials over reviving the 2015 nuclear deal and freeing US prisoners have been held in recent weeks, two sources told Middle East Eye.

According to the Iranian sources, who are close to the talks, the government of President Ebrahim Raisi was not informed of the dialogue, part of a growing trend that has seen figures close to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei take the lead on foreign policy.

The sources added that Abbas Araghchi, former deputy foreign minister under Hassan Rouhani, led the talks, which were held in Europe.

Currently, Araghchi is the secretary of Iran's Strategic Council on Foreign Relations, an advisory board for the supreme leader, who appoints its members and chairman.

The council was formed in 2006 and is tasked with "preparing strategies, policies and solutions that will bring the Islamic Republic to its desired results in foreign policy" and "bringing about greater coordination in all activities in the field of foreign relations".

The sources said the focus of the talks was reviving the 2015 nuclear deal and finalising an agreement on freeing American prisoners in exchange for Iranian assets being unfrozen in several countries, including South Korea.

According to the sources, under the Rouhani government, Araghchi's negotiation team managed to reach an agreement over freeing prisoners, which was never implemented. Raisi’s team continued the negotiations, with modifications being made over asset transfers, which were first set to go to Europe, but that later changed to Qatar instead.