The New York Times reports that the United States feared Israel would assassinate Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Ghalibaf, and asked regional countries to warn Tehran. The report, published Thursday evening, adds that Washington sought to prevent any attack that could derail ongoing nuclear talks.
The i24NEWS reported Thursday evening, citing the same New York Times source, that the United States intervention during the April nuclear talks was specifically aimed at preventing an Israeli assassination of Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. This adds a targeted focus to earlier reports that the US suspected Israel planned to eliminate both Araghchi and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Ghalibaf.
The New York Times first published the story at 22:09 Jerusalem, detailing that US intelligence suspected Israel was preparing to assassinate both officials. The report noted that Ghalibaf was scheduled to fly to Islamabad for a meeting with US Vice President JD Vance, and that Iranian security officials feared Israel would exploit the flight. The US subsequently asked multiple countries to warn Tehran. The Zioneer reported the story at 22:35 Jerusalem, based on the same initial details. The story has since been corroborated by multiple outlets, including Ynet, which reported similar information earlier.
The Zioneer has previously reported on the broader context of US-Iran tensions, including a US message to Iran that Washington could not restrain Israel if Iran attacked, and diplomatic efforts by Pakistan and Qatar to prevent escalation. The reported assassination plot is seen as part of the high-stakes maneuvering around the nuclear talks.
As of Thursday evening, no official Israeli government statement has been published regarding the allegations. The report remains sourced to US and Iranian officials, and the full extent of Israel's purported planning is unverified.
7 developments
- DevelopingIranian plane reportedly carrying FM Araghchi and Speaker Ghalibaf lands in Baghdad
- StrongIsrael reportedly planned major airstrike on Iran, halted by Trump tweet
- DevelopingYair Goldblatt: Israel's 'preparations' for planned US strike aimed to draw Iran into war
- StrongIsrael raises alert level, opens public shelters as US presses Iran to avoid retaliation
Source and signal
- Open-source intake