The NYT learned about US concerns about Israel's plans to kill Araqchi and Ghalibaf

The US administration feared that Israel might be planning to eliminate key Iranian negotiators during the cease-fire talks that began in April between Washington and Tehran. This was reported on July 2 by The New York Times (NYT), citing sources.

"The assassinations of senior Iranian leaders have been part of Israel's strategy since the beginning of the war. However, U.S. concerns about the possible assassinations of two specific Iranian officials — Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf — increased dramatically during the delicate cease—fire negotiations that began in April," the publication says.

It clarifies that during the most intense period of the conflict, Araghchi and Ghalibaf, as high-ranking government officials, could be considered by Israel as legitimate targets in the framework of attempts to change the Iranian regime.

According to the newspaper, after the start of serious negotiations in April, the United States believed that any such attempt would disrupt the dialogue and lead to the resumption of hostilities.

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Al Arabiya TV channel reported on July 2 that during the indirect talks in Doha, the United States informed Iran that it would not tolerate a change in the regime of unhindered and free international transit of ships in the Strait of Hormuz. It was noted that it is Tehran's position on the issue of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz that Washington considers as the main signal of commitment to the memorandum of understanding signed on June 18.