New Delhi (India) July 3: The US privately warned Tehran that Israel could seek to assassinate two top negotiators as efforts continue to end the war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, The Washington Post said, citing current and former U.S. Officials who know the issue. The reports continue questions about disagreements between the U.S. And Israel on Iran policy, with the U.S. Favoring diplomacy while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel has continued to call for a tougher stance against Tehran.
US Seeks Diplomacy Amid Regional Tensions
The Washington Post reported, the U.S. administration feared a killing would upset peace talks and resume hostilities.
The Washington Post said the warnings highlight increasing disagreement between the United States and Israel over the war aims. Initially, the two nations both supported regime change in Iran following the outbreak of war in late February. But U.S. Officials determined that Iran’s political and military structure is likely to stay in power and switched their focus to a negotiated agreement.
New York Times Details Fresh Israeli Threat
In addition, the New York Times stated that the United States believed that Israel might target the two Iranian individuals following an April 8 ceasefire and that the message was sent to Iran via intermediaries in the region. According to the newspaper, Ghalibaf received a warning that Israel may be targeting him as he traveled back from Islamabad on April 12th following a discussion with J.D. Vance.
The newspaper reports that following the warning of an Israeli attack, Ghalibaf's aircraft made an emergency landing in Mashhad before he traveled by land. Furthermore, the New York Times cited the United States that any Israeli plot to kill Ghalibaf or Araghchi would likely undermine the peace accord and lead to the escalation of fighting.
Iran Warns Against Military Escalation During Funeral
Khatam al-Anbiya commander Ali Abdollahi threatened that any Israeli and U.S. miscalculations during the weeklong funeral of the former Supreme Leader of Iran, Ali Khamenei, will result in severe and regrettable responses.
"We warn the enemies of Iran, especially the US and the Zionist regime, to avoid any miscalculation and to think about the harsh retaliation our armed forces would make to any threat and aggression against our country,” he said.
The former Supreme Leader of Iran's funeral services will begin on Saturday. This would be the biggest funeral in the Islamic Republic's history, with ceremonies in Tehran, Qom, Mashhad, Najaf, and Karbala. The ceremony was originally scheduled for April but was moved back due to the ongoing battle with the US.