'Fake news': Israel denies report it planned to assassinate Iranian negotiators

Israel has vehemently denied reports alleging a plan to assassinate senior Iranian negotiators during diplomatic efforts, labeling the claims "fake news" and a "complete fabrication of reality."

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As usual, The New York Times' latest story about Israel and the Iranian negotiators is fake news. A complete fabrication of reality.

The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a strong rebuttal on X, directly challenging a report published by The New York Times. The newspaper had suggested that American officials privately expressed concerns that Israel might target Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf during negotiations held earlier this year.

According to the report, U.S. officials conveyed indirect warnings to the two Iranian leaders through regional intermediaries. These concerns stemmed from fears that any assassination attempt could jeopardize the ongoing diplomatic settlement aimed at ending the conflict and reopening the Strait of Hormuz. A U.S. official, speaking anonymously to The Washington Post, indicated that targeting such figures would undermine the pragmatists involved in the peace process.

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You kill those folks and you're killing the pragmatists.

Washington had reportedly urged Israeli officials as early as March against targeting Iran's political leadership while negotiations were active. A White House official told The Washington Post that "the president wants the peace process to play out," emphasizing the potential for collapsed negotiations and reignited fighting if an attack occurred. Separately, Netanyahu and U.S. President Donald Trump have agreed to meet in the United States soon.

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The president wants the peace process to play out.