Archive · 17 Aug 2026
Trump confirms US backchannel talks with Iran's IRGC
The President of the United States, Donald Trump, is talking directly with people from Iran's special military group, the IRGC.
This is happening through a secret backchannel, which means the talks don't go through the usual go-betweens.
A 60-day ceasefire, or pause in fighting, between the US and Iran is ending on Monday.
Trump told Iran to 'put up the white flag of surrender' if they want the conflict to end.
He says his main goal is to make sure Iran never gets a nuclear weapon.
Trump says he is not in a hurry and has no time schedule for the talks.
He also warned the country of Oman not to get in the way of the negotiations.
Meanwhile, Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner met with Israel's leader Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem.
The day before, Kushner met with Hamas representatives in Egypt to talk about stopping the war in Gaza.
Israel does not agree with some parts of the US ceasefire plan, but many other countries support it.
Trump confirmed direct US backchannel talks with Iran's IRGC as the 60-day ceasefire deadline expires Monday.
Trump told Iran to 'put up the white flag of surrender' and insisted Iran must give up its nuclear ambitions.
Trump said he has 'no time schedule' and dismissed claims Iran is delaying talks until the US midterm elections.
Trump warned Oman against obstructing the diplomatic process and threatened military action.
Jared Kushner met Netanyahu in Jerusalem with Tony Blair and Nickolay Mladenov, a day after meeting Hamas representatives in Egypt, as Israel rejects key elements of the US-backed Gaza ceasefire plan.
- Who
- US President Donald Trump, US officials, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Jared Kushner, Tony Blair, Nickolay Mladenov, and Hamas.
- What
- Trump confirmed direct US backchannel talks with Iran's IRGC as the 60-day ceasefire deadline expires, while warning Iran to surrender its nuclear ambitions and pressing the Gaza ceasefire plan.
- When
- The 60-day ceasefire deadline expires on Monday; Kushner met Netanyahu in Jerusalem on Monday, a day after meeting Hamas representatives in Egypt.
- Where
- United States, Iran, Jerusalem, Egypt, Gaza, and Oman.
- Why
- To prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon and to advance the Gaza ceasefire process, including Hamas disarmament.
Diplomatic Resolution Advocates
Military Pressure Advocates
Ending the US-Iran conflict
Diplomatic Resolution Advocates
Diplomacy should continue through the backchannel talks even after the ceasefire deadline expires; Trump says he has 'no time schedule' and is 'not in a hurry.'
Military Pressure Advocates
Iran must 'put up the white flag of surrender' and give up its nuclear ambitions; Trump says Iran's leadership is under severe pressure and 'they're dying.'
Gaza ceasefire terms
Diplomatic Resolution Advocates
Hamas and the foreign ministers of eight countries, including the UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Egypt, support the US-backed Gaza agreement and criticize Israel's rejection of it.
Military Pressure Advocates
Israel wants Hamas and other armed groups to surrender before ending its military presence in Gaza and rejects key elements of the US-backed proposal.
- US President
- Donald Trump
- Ceasefire deadline
- 60-day US-Iran ceasefire expires Monday
- Backchannel talks
- Direct US-IRGC contact without traditional mediators or Iran's political leadership
- Trump's stated goal
- Prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon
- Trump's message to Iran
- "Put up the white flag of surrender"
- Kushner-Netanyahu meeting
- Jerusalem, Monday, with Tony Blair and Nickolay Mladenov
- Gaza ceasefire plan
- US-backed plan includes Hamas disarmament; Israel rejects key elements
- Joint statement
- Foreign ministers of UAE, Qatar, Jordan, Indonesia, Pakistan, Turkiye, Saudi Arabia and Egypt criticized Israel's rejection of the Gaza agreement