Israel removes Araqchi, Ghalibaf from target list

According to a Pakistani source, Israel has removed two senior Iranian officials – Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi and parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf – from its list of assassination targets.

The move is said to have followed intervention by Pakistan, which warned via Washington that their killing would make any peace talks impossible. The United States subsequently urged Israel to step back.

According to the Wall Street Journal, the decision is temporary, lasting a few days while options for a diplomatic solution to the conflict with Iran are explored.

Pakistan, along with Egypt and Turkey, is acting as a mediator between Tehran and Washington, with Islamabad maintaining contacts with both sides. At the same time, Iran is assessing a proposal by US President Donald Trump that includes strict conditions, among them restrictions on its nuclear programme.

Tehran has also signalled a cautious approach to negotiations aimed at ending the conflict.

(reuters, pir)