ISLAMABAD – A bombshell report by leading US publication sparked controversy by claiming that Israel planned to target senior Iranian officials during their visit to Islamabad for peace talks.
The report covered alleged security warnings, diplomatic assurances, and military escorts, saying Israeli officials considered targeting senior Iranian officials during their high-profile visit to Islamabad for peace negotiations, triggering what the newspaper describes as urgent diplomatic and security measures behind the scenes.
The alleged targets were Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf. It claims US officials, fearing possible Israeli operation, quietly alerted Tehran through regional intermediaries about the perceived threat.
The report further reported that, before traveling to Pakistan in April, Iranian delegation sought security guarantees from Washington through Pakistani and Qatari mediators, requesting assurances that its members would not be attacked during the visit.
Pakistan however responded with extraordinary security precautions, with Pakistan Air Force fighter jets escorting the Iranian delegation’s aircraft throughout its journey to and from Islamabad.
Tensions escalated during the return flight when Iranian officials reportedly received intelligence suggesting Israeli military aircraft had entered Iranian airspace from Iraq. The warning was allegedly relayed to the delegation’s aircraft, prompting the flight to divert and land at Mashhad International Airport as a precaution. The report added that Mohammad Marandi, a senior adviser to Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, confirmed the incident.
As the recent reports sparked new debate, Israel denied the report calling NYT allegations “fake news” and described the story as “a complete fabrication of reality.”
Netanyahu’s office maintained there had been any plan to assassinate Abbas Araghchi or Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, disputing every major allegation contained in the report. New York Times however stands on stance that US officials conveyed warnings to Iran through regional diplomatic channels over concerns about possible Israeli action following the April 8 ceasefire.
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