>Backchannels are important.

>Know your history and you will know why.

In March 2013, the Obama administration opened up a back channel with Iran, and subsequently held several secret meetings. When the Iran Nuclear deal was brokered, Obama said the back-channel conversations were instrumental in negotiating the deal, according to the Associated Press.

Obama also approved secret negotiations with Iran in 2014 that were used to negotiate for the freedom of Americans held captive there.