US Vice President JD Vance revealed on June 26, 2026, that the deconfliction channel agreed upon by Washington and Tehran during talks in Switzerland last weekend includes representatives from Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the US Army's Central Command (CENTCOM) in Doha, Qatar. Vance made the remarks during a press briefing, stating that the cell is operational and that the two sides are 'hanging out' in the same room to prevent accidental escalation.
The deconfliction mechanism was established to manage potential military confrontations in the Middle East, particularly in the Persian Gulf and surrounding regions. Vance emphasized that the arrangement is informal and does not constitute direct diplomatic recognition, but serves as a practical measure to avoid misunderstandings. The talks in Switzerland were reportedly facilitated by Omani and Qatari mediators.
Neither the IRGC nor CENTCOM have officially commented on the arrangement. However, analysts note that such channels have been used in the past, including during the 2020-2021 period, to de-escalate tensions. The inclusion of IRGC representatives is notable given the US has designated the IRGC as a foreign terrorist organization since 2019.
The development comes amid ongoing indirect negotiations between the US and Iran over Iran's nuclear program and regional activities. The deconfliction cell is seen as a confidence-building measure, though no further details on its scope or duration have been released.
