Israel-Iran Talks Threat

U.S. officials asked Middle Eastern intermediaries this spring to warn Tehran that Israel might try to kill Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf during U.S.-Iran talks. The concern intensified after negotiations began in April, when Washington viewed both men as central Iranian representatives in the talks. Officials feared an assassination or strike on their aircraft after meetings in Pakistan could collapse the diplomatic effort and renew fighting.