US warned Iran of ‘Israeli’ assassination plots against Ghalibaf & Araghchi: NYT

US officials indirectly warned Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf of possible ‘Israeli’ assassination attempts during the sensitive ceasefire negotiations, according to a report published by The New York Times.

The warnings were conveyed through intermediaries in the region amid concerns that such actions could derail ongoing diplomatic efforts to end hostilities.

Current and former US officials said to the NYT that fears intensified in the weeks following the April 8 ceasefire, which paused a short but intense conflict involving the United States, ‘Israel’, and Iran.

The April 8 ceasefire emerged after a period of heightened tensions, including military engagements that drew in multiple regional actors.

Negotiations, facilitated in locations such as Islamabad, Pakistan, involved high-level Iranian representatives Araghchi and Ghalibaf engaging with US counterparts, including Vice President JD Vance and other envoys.

These talks aimed to establish a more durable peace framework. US officials expressed apprehension that ‘Israeli’ targeting of these key Iranian figures—central to the diplomatic process—would undermine progress and potentially reignite large-scale conflict.

American intelligence and diplomatic assessments suggested that ‘Israel’ viewed the elimination of senior Iranian leaders as a strategic element in its approach to the conflict.

To mitigate risks, the United States requested third-party nations in the region to alert Tehran about potential threats to Araghchi and Ghalibaf.

According to the report, two ‘Israeli’ fighter jets entered Iranian airspace while Ghalibaf was traveling back to Iran from Islamabad following talks with US Vice President JD Vance on April 12.

Two US officials told the NYT that Iranian security forces notified Ghalibaf, after which his plane made an emergency landing in Mashhad

He then continued to Tehran by land.