US warned Iran Israel could assassinate top negotiators: Report
US officials reportedly warned Iran that Israel could assassinate the Islamic Republic’s top negotiators amid concerns such a move would derail ongoing diplomatic efforts.
Citing two US officials, CNN reported on Friday that Washington relayed the warning through intermediaries in April, saying Israel might target Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, who is also leading negotiations with the United States, or Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
The officials claimed there was no indication US intelligence had uncovered a specific or imminent Israeli plot.
According to the officials, assassinating either Ghalibaf or Araghchi after talks began in April would likely have collapsed the negotiations and reignited the conflict.
The New York Times, which first reported the warnings, said Washington had learned that at least Qalibaf had been placed on an Israeli target list.
Israeli officials have publicly threatened to target senior Iranian officials, while US President Donald Trump has acknowledged that Israeli military actions have at times complicated diplomacy with Tehran.
In March, Trump declined to identify Iran’s negotiators, telling reporters, “I don’t want them to be killed.”
The report comes amid growing signs of disagreement between Washington and Tel Aviv over Iran policy.
US and Israeli officials have reportedly clashed over strategy, with Trump said to have grown frustrated by Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s attempts to escalate the conflict while Washington pursued negotiations.
CNN also reported that US officials have been closely monitoring Israel’s intelligence activities, which it said have intensified in recent months.
Tehran and Washington signed a memorandum of understanding on June 18, ending the 40-day US-Israeli war against Iran.
Iranian officials have repeatedly warned that any attack on the country’s leadership or people would trigger an “immediate and powerful” response.
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