US officials: Israel may target key Iranian negotiators

American officials suspect Israel is plotting to assassinate key Iranian negotiators, a move that could significantly derail ongoing talks between the United States and Iran. The New York Times and The Washington Post reported that U.S. officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, believe Israel is targeting Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.

One U.S. official told The Washington Post that assassinating these figures would effectively eliminate the "pragmatists" involved in the negotiations. The officials indicated that the U.S. has urged countries in the Middle East to alert Iran to the potential danger posed by Israel's alleged intentions.

Israel has a history of targeting negotiators in what are seen as attempts to sabotage peace talks or de-escalate conflicts in the region. The report references a past Israeli military strike in October that targeted a Hamas complex while officials from the group were considering a ceasefire proposal with Israel.

The article also mentions a previous incident where Israel allegedly killed Iranian leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, an event that reportedly drew widespread condemnation and heightened security concerns. The current alleged plot underscores the deep-seated tensions and the high stakes involved in the U.S.-Iran negotiations.

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If you kill those people, you kill the pragmatists.