On July 2, The New York Times reported, citing current and former U.S. officials, that Israel had targeted Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the Speaker of the Iranian Parliament, and Abbas Araghchi, the Foreign Minister, as potential assassination targets. Both individuals are key figures in the negotiations with the U.S.
The U.S. requested neighboring countries in the Middle East to inform Iran about the assassination threats. The Times noted that the Trump administration was aware of the targeting of Ghalibaf and urged Israel to exercise restraint.
In response, Iran took measures to protect its delegation. During Ghalibaf's attendance at a meeting in Islamabad, Pakistani fighter jets escorted the Iranian delegation's aircraft from the border to its destination.
On their return journey, concerns about a possible Israeli attack led to the delegation's aircraft making an emergency landing at Mashhad Airport instead of Tehran.
The Israeli embassy in Washington declined to comment on the allegations. A U.S. official stated that both delegations continue to engage with each other and that President Donald Trump hopes for the continuation of the peace process.
Ghalibaf and Araghchi have remained at the forefront of negotiations, recently holding follow-up talks in Switzerland with a U.S. delegation that included Vice President J.D. Vance.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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