Kushner touts unprecedented Iran contacts as Tehran denies Trump backchannel

Senior Trump advisor Jared Kushner confirmed that communications between the U.S. and Iran are "more robust" than ever, despite Iran's denial of a backchannel between President Donald Trump and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Kushner made the statement in an interview with Fox News' Trey Yingst on Monday after a series of meetings across the Middle East about the future of Gaza and Iran.

Kushner emphasized that Trump remains committed to making a deal, but there remain severe roadblocks.

Kushner emphasized that Iran needs to get serious about making a deal, saying Iranian officials have so far been trying to "trick" the U.S. with false concessions and trying to "hide certain cards." It remains unclear who exactly the U.S. is communicating with through its so-called backchannel with the IRGC .

The IRGC has been the most radical faction within Tehran's government, frequently sabotaging past negotiations with attacks on vessels in the Strait of Hormuz and other efforts.

IRAN REQUESTS TALKS WITH US AS WHITE HOUSE WARNS 'VIOLENCE WILL BE MET WITH VIOLENCE' Previous negotiations have been with members of the Iranian civilian government, such as Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and representatives of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, but reports from within Iran suggest the IRGC holds more influence in the country.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio alluded to that earlier this year when he told reporters at the White House that Iran's negotiators often don't know what they are allowed to concede.

"An offer will be made, and then it takes five or six days to get a response because you have to get it through the whole system.

They have to find the supreme leader wherever he hides.

They have to get him to sign off.

And that's their system," Rubio said in May.

TRUMP SAYS IRAN WILL PAY — WHAT IT TAKES TO END THE WAR REMAINS UNCLEAR Kushner said that Trump is open to making an economic deal with Iran that will allow the country to thrive, but first the nation must give up its efforts to build a nuclear weapon.

"They have to want to be a real country," Kushner said.

"They can be one of the wealthiest countries in the world if they choose to pursue it.