A new report has claimed that the United States quietly urged several Middle Eastern countries to alert Iran about possible assassination attempts by Israel targeting senior Iranian leaders during sensitive ceasefire negotiations. According to the report, Washington believed any such operation could have completely derailed diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the conflict.
US Reportedly Intervened During Fragile Negotiations
According to a report by The New York Times, American officials grew increasingly concerned after ceasefire negotiations between the US and Iran began in April. The report states that Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf were among the senior leaders believed to be at risk of being targeted.
To prevent the peace process from collapsing, the US is said to have asked friendly governments in the region to discreetly warn Tehran about the potential threat.
Washington And Israel Differed On Strategy
The report suggests that while the United States shifted its focus toward diplomacy and de-escalation, Israel continued to pursue military objectives aimed at weakening Iran’s political and military leadership.
US officials reportedly feared that eliminating senior Iranian negotiators would immediately halt the dialogue and push both sides back into direct confrontation, undoing months of diplomatic efforts.
Peace Efforts Took Priority
The report says American officials believed Abbas Araghchi and Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf had become central figures in efforts to negotiate a ceasefire and later work towards a broader understanding on regional security and Iran’s nuclear programme.
Washington reportedly viewed their continued participation as critical to keeping diplomatic channels open, even as tensions between Israel and Iran remained high.
Reports Claim Leaders Were On Israel’s Target List
Separate reports cited by international media claim both Araghchi and Ghalibaf had appeared on Israel’s target list before the ceasefire process gathered momentum. However, the names were allegedly removed after US intervention to protect the ongoing negotiations.
The reports also claim Ghalibaf narrowly escaped possible attacks on more than one occasion during the conflict. One alleged incident reportedly involved intelligence inputs warning of a possible strike on the aircraft carrying him back to Tehran, forcing changes to his travel plans.
Ceasefire Talks Continue Despite Regional Tensions
Despite the reported security concerns, Iranian representatives continued participating in diplomatic engagements in several countries as negotiations progressed. According to the report, Washington remains committed to keeping diplomatic channels open and preventing another escalation in the region.
Neither the US nor Israeli authorities have officially confirmed the claims contained in the reports. However, the developments highlight the complex balance between military objectives and diplomatic negotiations as efforts continue to secure long-term stability in the Middle East.
