The U.S. feared that Israel would assassinate Iranian negotiators, according to the New York Times.

The United States expressed concerns that Israel might carry out an assassination against Iranian negotiators during sensitive talks aimed at securing a temporary ceasefire earlier this year, according to reports by *The New York Times* (NYT). These fears emerged as the U.S. engaged in delicate negotiations with Iran, seeking to broker a truce after months of intense conflict between the two nations. According to current and former American officials cited by the NYT, the U.S. took measures to prevent such an attack, including requesting other regional countries to warn Tehran about the possibility of Israeli targeting of high-ranking Iranian figures.

Israel has historically used assassinations as a strategy throughout the ongoing war, which began on February 28 with coordinated attacks by the U.S. and Israel on Iran. During the most intense phase of the conflict, the U.S. reportedly feared that Israel was planning to target two key Iranian negotiators—Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and President of the Islamic Parliament Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf—who were central to the peace talks. Concerns arose that an assassination attempt could derail the negotiations and reignite hostilities.

American representatives acknowledged that, during the peak of the war, Araghchi and Qalibaf could have been legitimate targets for Israel, given their prominent roles in the government. However, once the talks commenced in full force in April, U.S. officials believed that any attempt to kill Iranian political leaders would end the negotiations and restart the fighting. This divergence in objectives between Washington and Jerusalem became increasingly apparent over time, with the U.S. aiming to quickly conclude a peace agreement while Israel remained skeptical of such efforts.

The war began in late February when Israeli airstrikes killed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the supreme leader of Iran, along with several other top officials in the Islamic Republic. These strikes were partially based on intelligence provided by U.S. agencies. While U.S. strikes focused on Iran's navy and military forces, Israel prioritized attacks on the leadership, aiming to eliminate as many Iranian officials as possible. This included the killing of more moderate figures who had participated in negotiations with the U.S., such as Ali Larijani, Iran’s chief nuclear negotiator, and Kamal Khatami, the former foreign minister.

According to the NYT, these concerns highlight how Washington and Jerusalem have grown apart in their wartime goals. The U.S. sought to rapidly conclude a peace deal, whereas Israel remained skeptical of such efforts. The first ceasefire in April faced public resistance in Israel, where there were fears that the U.S. was ending the war too soon, potentially allowing Iran to become even more radicalized and strengthening the control of the Revolutionary Guard across the country.

In June, the U.S. and Iran finally reached a framework agreement that includes the restoration of maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz and future discussions on Iran’s nuclear program. However, many Israeli commentators criticize this agreement as inadequate because it does not achieve Israel’s primary objectives—changing the regime in Tehran, dismantling Iran’s military presence in the region, and crippling its nuclear ambitions. Additionally, Israel fears that the agreement could provide Iran with billions of dollars for post-war reconstruction without requiring it to curb its nuclear aspirations.

Israeli embassy spokespersons declined to comment on the allegations made by the NYT. An American official confirmed that negotiations between the U.S. and Iran continue, with special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, son-in-law of former President Donald Trump, having productive meetings in Qatar. The official emphasized that the U.S. aims to keep the peace talks moving forward.

Meanwhile, on Monday, President Donald Trump announced that representatives from the U.S. and Iran will meet in Doha, Qatar, on Tuesday at the request of Tehran. According to White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt, the meeting will involve high-level discussions led by U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. Technical talks will also take place alongside the main negotiations. However, Kazem Gharibabadi, deputy foreign minister of Iran, denied media reports about potential technical talks between the two sides in Doha this week.

Trump posted on his social media platform, Truth Social, stating, “Iran requested a meeting. It will take place tomorrow in Doha!” He added that Witkoff and Kushner would travel to Doha this week for high-level discussions on the memorandum of understanding, with technical talks occurring on the sidelines. However, Gharibabadi stated that no technical talks between Washington and Tehran are scheduled for this week, despite ongoing consultations with Qatar regarding monitoring the fulfillment of commitments by both parties.

Axios reported on Sunday that the U.S. and Iran have agreed to a mutual cessation of attacks and that the Tuesday meeting in Doha was planned. On Monday, Iran’s diplomacy announced that the first meeting of the Iran-Oman group, which focuses on the Strait of Hormuz, took place in Muscat. Gharibabadi said that the countries discussed rights arising from the sovereignty of both coastal states and future management of the strait in light of the agreement signed between Iran and the U.S.

Following the agreement on the ceasefire, armed clashes have occurred again in recent days, and President Trump has threatened Iran with the resumption of military operations and "finishing the job."