File photo: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (Picture credit: ANI)
Israel on Friday rejected reports that it had planned to assassinate senior Iranian negotiators during diplomatic efforts to end the conflict with Iran, calling the claims “fake news” and a “complete fabrication of reality.”In a post on X, the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed a report published by The New York Times, saying, “As usual, The New York Times’ latest story about Israel and the Iranian negotiators is fake news. A complete fabrication of reality.” The US newspaper had reported that American officials privately feared Israel could target Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi and Parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf during negotiations held earlier this year.The report alleged that US officials conveyed indirect warnings to the two Iranian leaders through regional intermediaries, fearing any assassination attempt would derail diplomacy.
US concerns over negotiations
As per earlier reports, US officials believed Israel could attempt to assassinate the two senior Iranian officials while Washington was pursuing a diplomatic settlement to end the conflict and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.A US official quoted anonymously by The Washington Post said, “You kill those folks and you’re killing the pragmatists.” According to the reports, Washington also urged Israeli officials as early as March not to target Iran’s political leadership while negotiations were underway. A White House official quoted by The Washington Post said, “The president wants the peace process to play out.”US officials believed such an attack could have collapsed negotiations and reignited fighting between the two sides.
Netanyahu, Trump agree to meet
Separately, Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump agreed during a phone call on Friday to meet in the United States in the near future, according to a statement from the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office.The statement said Netanyahu congratulated Trump on the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, adding, “The US is what ensures the freedom of the world, and Israel greatly appreciates the tight bond between the nations.”The Prime Minister’s Office said both leaders agreed to meet soon in the US, although no date or venue was announced.Meanwhile, Qatar and Pakistan concluded separate meetings with US and Iranian negotiators in Doha on July 1, with officials reporting “positive progress” on issues related to a 14-point Memorandum of Understanding.Qatar’s foreign ministry spokesperson said the parties agreed to continue discussions, with the next round expected after funeral ceremonies for Iran’s former Supreme Leader.
