Key facts
- Washington warned Tehran that Israel may have targeted Iranian officials involved in ceasefire talks.
- US officials feared an Israeli assassination attempt could derail peace negotiations and reignite conflict.
- Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf were identified as potential targets.
- Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf's flight was diverted due to suspected Israeli fighter jets near Iranian airspace.
- Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed media reports of the alleged Israeli plot.
Washington alerted Tehran through regional governments about a potential Israeli plot to assassinate key negotiators, including Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, during ceasefire negotiations. US officials feared such an attack would derail diplomatic efforts and risk reigniting conflict. The Trump administration learned that Ghalibaf was on an Israeli target list and urged Israel not to proceed with any strike. Iranian officials sought assurances from the US, via Pakistani and Qatari intermediaries, that their negotiators would be safe. An incident occurred where Ghalibaf's flight returning from Islamabad was diverted after Iranian security officials detected suspected Israeli fighter jets entering Iranian airspace. The aircraft subsequently made an emergency landing in Mashhad, and the delegation completed the journey to Tehran by land.