In a strategic move aimed at preserving potential diplomatic breakthroughs, the United States and Israel have reportedly decided to remove Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Parliamentary Speaker Mohammad Ghalibaf from their list of targets. This decision comes after mediators emphasized that excluding these figures from peace negotiations could jeopardize any chance of a resolution, according to various reports.
Originally, Ghalibaf and Araghchi were in Israel’s sights. However, mediators from Pakistan, Turkey, and Egypt intervened, cautioning the US that eliminating these key Iranian officials could derail diplomatic efforts to end the ongoing conflict.
A Pakistani official, speaking to Reuters, explained, “The Israelis had their coordinates and planned to target them. We informed the US that without these individuals, there would be no one left to negotiate with. Consequently, the US requested that Israel stand down.”
As reported first by The Wall Street Journal, this decision grants Ghalibaf and Araghchi a temporary reprieve of 10 days, during which the US is expected to intensify efforts toward securing a peace agreement.
While the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have not commented on whether these Iranian leaders have officially been removed from their target list, it is clear that their status remains a subject of strategic calculation.
In the current landscape of Iranian politics, Ghalibaf stands as one of the most influential figures following the deaths of key leaders Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and Ali Larijani. As the parliamentary speaker, Ghalibaf is believed to be a principal contact with the Trump administration, further underscoring his significance in ongoing diplomatic discussions.
Both Ghalibaf and Araghchi have repeatedly denied being in direct talks with Washington, with Iran recently bashing Trump’s 15-point peace proposal.
Pakistan, Turkey, and Egypt are currently working to set up a meeting between Iranian and US negotiators in Islamabad.
Despite the alleged halt on attacks against Ghalibaf and Araghchi, IDF Spokesman Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin vowed that the Jewish state will continue hunting Iran’s top leaders following the strike that killed IRGC Navy chief Alireza Tangsiri overnight.
âThe eliminations will not stop; we will continue to pursue anyone who threatens Israel,â he said in a statement.
With Post Wire
