The United States warned Iran in April that two senior Iranian leaders could be targeted by Israel, according to a report published by The New York Times on Thursday.
Citing multiple US officials, the report said Washington informed Tehran that Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf were possible assassination targets. The warning reportedly came weeks after the April 8 ceasefire.
At the time, Araghchi and Ghalibaf was chosen to represent Iran in nuclear talks with the United States. According to the report, some US officials believed Israel was considering targeting the two leaders during that period.
The concerns emerged as Israel carried out several operations inside Iran, including the assassination of former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
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Report details alleged threat to Ghalibaf
According to The New York Times, US officials believed Israel planned to target Ghalibaf while he was returning to Iran from Pakistan on April 12.
The report said Ghalibaf had travelled to Islamabad for talks involving US Vice President JD Vance. US authorities allegedly informed Tehran that two Israeli fighter jets had entered Iranian airspace through Iraq and could target the aircraft carrying the Iranian speaker.
Following the warning, Iranian authorities reportedly contacted the aircraft. Ghalibaf then made an emergency landing in Mashhad instead of continuing to Tehran, the report added.
The episode, according to the report, highlighted early signs of differences between Washington and Tel Aviv over Iran.
US-Israel differences come into focus
The report also pointed to widening differences between the United States and Israel over Iran policy. The US has continued to pursue the Memorandum of Understanding and diplomatic engagement with Tehran, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has publicly criticised the process.
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Tensions have also surfaced over the conflict in southern Lebanon. According to reports, President Donald Trump urged Netanyahu to be “more responsible” and warned that “too many people have been killed.”
Media reports citing leaked conversations have also claimed that Trump described Netanyahu as “f* crazy” during one private exchange, reflecting growing strains between the two leaders.
FAQs:
Which Iranian leaders were reportedly warned about?
The report names Abbas Araghchi and Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.
Which publication carried the report?
The report was published by The New York Times.
