Jerusalem: Israel has strongly rejected a media report alleging that senior Iranian negotiators were warned of a possible assassination threat during indirect discussions held earlier this year, calling the claims entirely false.
The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed the report in a statement posted on social media, describing it as “fake news” and accusing the publication of presenting a distorted version of events.
The controversy follows a report that claimed some US officials were concerned Israel could attempt to target two senior Iranian figures involved in negotiations. According to the report, those concerns allegedly prompted Washington to use regional intermediaries to caution Tehran about potential security risks facing its negotiators.
The report identified Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf as the officials who were allegedly the subject of the warnings. It further claimed the concerns emerged in the period following the ceasefire that paused hostilities between Iran and Israel earlier this year.
Israel, however, has categorically denied the allegations, insisting that the report bears no resemblance to reality. Officials offered no further comment beyond rejecting the claims outright.
The report has resurfaced amid renewed diplomatic engagement involving Iran, the United States and regional mediators. Earlier this week, separate meetings involving American and Iranian representatives were held in Doha, with officials indicating that discussions on issues linked to a previously agreed memorandum had made encouraging progress.
Qatari officials said the talks concluded positively and confirmed that both sides had agreed to continue negotiations after the completion of funeral ceremonies for Iran’s late Supreme Leader.
Separately, the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office confirmed that Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump held a telephone conversation in which they agreed to meet in the United States in the near future. While the statement did not specify a date, both leaders reportedly discussed bilateral ties and regional developments during the call.
The latest exchange highlights the continuing sensitivity surrounding diplomatic efforts in the region, where negotiations remain closely intertwined with ongoing security concerns and political tensions. Despite reports suggesting behind-the-scenes warnings, Israeli authorities have maintained that the allegations are baseless, while diplomatic contacts involving multiple regional stakeholders continue.
