Israeli Prime Minister's Office Rejects New York Times Report
The Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Office has categorically dismissed a New York Times report alleging that US officials feared Israel might have targeted senior Iranian negotiators during Islamabad talks earlier this year. In a post on X on Friday, the Israeli PMO stated, "As usual, The New York Times' latest story about Israel and the Iranian negotiators is fake news. A complete fabrication of reality."
Details of the Alleged Threat
According to the New York Times report, cited by the Times of Israel, US officials had allegedly conveyed indirect warnings to Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf during negotiations earlier this year that Israel might attempt to assassinate them. The report, citing current and former US officials, further alleged that some US officials believed Israel may have been planning to target the two senior Iranian negotiators in the weeks following the April 8 ceasefire that halted fighting in the US-Israel conflict with Iran. It also claimed that, due to those concerns, US officials asked counterparts in other countries across the region to warn Tehran that Israel might seek to target Araghchi and Ghalibaf.
Israel's Response and Past Allegations
In response, the Israeli Prime Minister's Office categorically rejected the report on Friday. Al Jazeera noted that Israel has previously been accused of targeting negotiating counterparts in regional conflicts. It cited an incident in September 2025 in which Israel bombed Hamas's negotiating team in Doha, Qatar, where members had gathered to discuss a ceasefire proposal that had reportedly been sent by the Israeli side.
Netanyahu-Trump Phone Call and Upcoming Meeting
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump agreed to meet in the United States in the near future during a phone conversation on Friday, according to a report by the Times of Israel, citing a statement from the Israeli Prime Minister's Office. According to the PMO statement, Netanyahu congratulated Trump on the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States and said, "The US is what ensures the freedom of the world, and Israel greatly appreciates the tight bond between the nations." The statement added that "Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Trump agreed to meet soon in the US." The Prime Minister's Office did not provide a specific date or venue for the proposed meeting.
Ongoing Negotiations and Next Steps
The developments come as Qatar and Pakistan, on July 1, concluded separate meetings with US and Iranian negotiators in Doha, with "positive progress" reported on issues related to the 14-point Memorandum of Understanding. The Qatar foreign spokesperson said, "The parties agreed to continue discussions over the coming period, with the next meeting to be scheduled at the earliest possible time following the funeral processions of the former Iranian Supreme Leader."
