IRGC Dismisses Trump's Claim of Backchannel Talks With US

Iran's Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) has firmly rejected U.S. President Donald Trump's assertion that a backchannel for communication exists between the two sides. The denial came on Monday from IRGC spokesperson Hossein Mohebbi, who described the claim as a "delusion" in an interview with the semi-official Tasnim news agency.

Mohebbi stated that no dialogue is currently taking place between IRGC officials and American representatives. He added that even Iran's diplomatic apparatus is not engaged in negotiations with the United States, citing Washington's "breach of promises" as the reason for the lack of contact.

Separately, Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei addressed media reports suggesting unofficial meetings between U.S. and IRGC officials in Iraqi Kurdistan, including an alleged secret gathering in Erbil. Baghaei dismissed these reports as "media techniques and psychological operations" aimed at creating discord among Iran's decision-making bodies.

The rebuttal follows President Trump's comments to Fox News earlier on Monday, where he claimed his administration maintains a direct backchannel with IRGC officials. Trump also said he is "not in a hurry" to resolve the Iran issue and has set no new deadline for Tehran.

In a separate social media post the same day, Trump reiterated that the U.S.'s top priority is ensuring Iran does not possess nuclear weapons "in any way, shape or form."