Archive · 17 Aug 2026
IRGC denies Trump's backchannel talks claim, calls it delusion
Some important people in Iran are talking about the United States.
A general in Iran's army, called the IRGC, said something President Trump said is not true.
President Trump said America was secretly talking with the IRGC.
The general said no such talks are happening.
He said Trump's claim comes from 'delusions and nightmares.'
He also said America broke its promises before, so Iran does not trust it.
The general said Trump is only trying to change oil and energy prices with his words.
Another Iranian leader said the country must stay united and follow its supreme leader.
Iran's vice president also said the president decided to end internet censorship, but it will take time.
So Iran is saying it will not talk to America, and it is also planning to change how the internet works at home.
IRGC spokesman Brig. Gen. Hossein Mohbehi denied President Donald Trump's claim of backchannel talks with Washington, calling it a lie born of 'delusions and nightmares.'
Mohbehi said the IRGC 'speaks its word on the battlefield' and that diplomatic matters fall within the remit of other Iranian institutions.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei rejected reports of secret US-Iran contacts via Iraq's Kurdistan region and a meeting in Erbil.
Mohbehi accused Trump of using the statements to temporarily manipulate global oil and energy prices and said Washington must accept defeat and meet Iran's conditions.
First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref said President Masoud Pezeshkian decided to end internet censorship, though implementation will take time.
- Who
- IRGC spokesman Brig. Gen. Hossein Mohbehi, President Donald Trump, Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei, Judiciary Chief Gholam-Hossein Mohseni Ejei, First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref, President Masoud Pezeshkian, and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
- What
- IRGC denied Trump's claim of backchannel talks with Washington and announced plans to end internet censorship
- When
- Monday
- Where
- Iran
- Why
- Iran says no talks are occurring because of US broken promises; Trump's claim was dismissed as a delusion
Washington's position
Tehran's position
Backchannel talks
Washington's position
President Trump confirmed the existence of a backchannel for peace talks between Washington and the IRGC, according to a Fox News report.
Tehran's position
IRGC spokesman Mohbehi denied any talks, calling the claim a lie and the result of Trump's 'delusions and nightmares,' and said no negotiations are occurring because of US broken promises.
Purpose of Trump's statements
Washington's position
Trump framed the backchannel as a path toward peace talks between the two sides.
Tehran's position
Mohbehi accused Trump of using the statements to temporarily manipulate global oil and energy prices and said Washington's only option is to accept defeat and meet Iran's conditions.
- IRGC spokesman
- Brig. Gen. Hossein Mohbehi
- Claim denied
- Backchannel talks between the IRGC and the US
- Trump's claim described as
- A lie and 'fantasies caused by the delusions and nightmares' of defeat
- Iran's stated reason for no talks
- US broken promises and repeated breaches of commitments
- Foreign Ministry spokesman
- Esmaeil Baghaei
- Judiciary chief
- Gholam-Hossein Mohseni Ejei
- First vice president
- Mohammad Reza Aref
- Internet censorship
- President Pezeshkian decided to end it; process will take time
