The Trump administration attempted secret contact with the commander of Iran's Revolutionary Guard in May,

The Trump administration secretly attempted to contact the Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) command of Iran during the May 2018 negotiations for an end to conflict with the Middle Eastern nation, according to multiple sources cited by Axios. This occurred after the administration questioned the authority of the Iranian side in the talks and the influence of the IRGC on decision-making.

US officials determined that the IRGC's control over the talks needed to be addressed, leading to the need for an unofficial channel to communicate with the IRGC leadership. Donald Trump's administration utilized Iraqi Kurdish leader Nechirvan Barzani, who had earned trust with both the US and the IRGC, as an intermediary. Barzani's assistance led to a direct conversation with Iran's chief military commander, Brigadier General Ahmad Baihdi, in Erbil, Iraq.

Baihdi expressed his support for the IRGC stance, stating he would continue supporting it. The Trump administration then proposed a secret high-level meeting between the US and Iran in Erbil, but Iran's negotiating team expressed concern about the possibility of Israel attempting an assassination during the visit. The meeting ultimately did not take place.

Barzani continued to communicate with the White House about the possibility of US-Iran negotiations.