Was Israel plotting to kill top Iranian negotiators Araghchi and…? Fighter jets were ready, US intervened and then…

The United States reportedly warned Iran through West Asian countries about a possible Israeli plan to assassinate two of Tehran’s top leaders during sensitive ceasefire talks. According to a report by The New York Times, Washington feared that any attack on senior Iranian officials could destroy the ongoing peace negotiations and trigger fresh fighting in the region.

The report said the officials at the centre of the concern were Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf. US officials believed that if either leader was killed, the ceasefire process that began in early April could collapse.

The concerns highlighted growing differences between the US and Israel over how to deal with Iran. While Washington focused on keeping peace talks alive, Israel reportedly remained committed to weakening Iran’s leadership and military capabilities.

Why was the US worried about Israel’s reported plan?

According to The New York Times, the US became increasingly concerned after ceasefire negotiations started. Although Israel had earlier considered senior Iranian leaders as military targets, American officials believed that continuing such operations during peace talks would derail diplomacy.

The report added that Washington asked several West Asian countries to quietly warn Iran about the possible threat. During the early stages of the conflict, Israel reportedly targeted several top Iranian officials, while the US mainly focused its military operations on Iran’s naval and missile forces.

Among those reportedly killed in earlier Israeli strikes were senior national security official Ali Larijani and former foreign minister Kamal Kharazi, both of whom were seen as leaders with whom the US had hoped to negotiate.

How did peace talks continue despite the threats?

The report said Araghchi and Ghalibaf continued to play key roles in negotiations aimed at securing a lasting ceasefire and reopening the Strait of Hormuz. In June, Washington and Tehran reportedly reached a framework agreement that could lead to future discussions on Iran’s nuclear programme.

Another US official told The New York Times that President Donald Trump wanted the peace process to continue. The American delegation, led by Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, has reportedly remained engaged in discussions with Iranian representatives.

Did Iranian leaders face assassination attempts?

According to both The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal, Araghchi and Ghalibaf were reportedly on Israel’s target list before the ceasefire talks began. The Wall Street Journal claimed they were removed from the list after US intervention.

The New York Times also reported that Ghalibaf narrowly escaped danger while returning to Tehran after talks with US Vice President JD Vance. Iranian intelligence allegedly intercepted information suggesting Israeli fighter jets were planning to target his aircraft. The plane reportedly made an emergency landing in Mashhad before Ghalibaf travelled to Tehran by road.