Washington, July 3, 2026: Reports published by The New York Times and The Washington Post claim that U.S. officials were concerned earlier this year that Israel may have been planning to target senior Iranian officials involved in diplomatic negotiations between the United States and Iran.
According to the reports, the alleged targets included Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who was also described as a key negotiator.
A U.S. official quoted by The Washington Post said that the assassination of such figures could have weakened Iran’s more moderate, diplomacy-oriented leadership and seriously disrupted ongoing negotiations.
The reports further stated that, in response to the perceived threat, U.S. officials contacted several Middle Eastern countries and urged them to warn Iran so that precautionary measures could be taken.
The U.S. media outlets also noted that Israel has previously been accused of targeting individuals or groups involved in diplomatic efforts during regional conflicts. One report referenced an alleged Israeli strike on a Hamas compound in Doha last October while representatives were reviewing a proposed ceasefire agreement.
The reports did not include an official response from the Israeli government, and U.S. authorities have neither formally confirmed nor denied the claims.
Analysts warned that any such actions could not only derail diplomatic negotiations between Iran and the United States but also further escalate tensions across the Middle East.