US Feared Israel Might Target Iranian Negotiators During Talks With Tehran

American officials feared that Israel might attempt to assassinate senior Iranian negotiators, including Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, during the spring negotiations between Washington and Tehran. These concerns arose as the US engaged in talks aimed at reaching an interim agreement with Iran, starting in April. According to a New York Times report citing current and former US sources, Washington worried that Israeli actions against these figures could derail the diplomatic process.

In response, the US reportedly urged regional countries to warn Iran against any such Israeli attempts. Initially, during the early stages of the conflict when Israel targeted Iranian leadership, Araghchi and Qalibaf were considered legitimate targets by Israel. However, once diplomatic talks gained momentum in April, the US reassessed the situation and viewed any Israeli strikes against them as potentially undermining diplomatic efforts.

The report also highlighted a divergence between US and Israeli objectives: while the US sought to advance a deal with Iran, Israel remained skeptical about halting hostilities and continuing the diplomatic track. This difference in approach underscored the complexities in the broader regional conflict and the negotiation process.