Washington: According to Reuters, Israel has temporarily removed two key Iranian officials from its alleged target list following a request by Pakistan.
Sources said that Israel had planned to target Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.
However, Pakistan conveyed a message to Washington that if these figures were eliminated, no significant channel for negotiations would remain.
According to the sources, Israel had the locations of both leaders and was planning to strike, but after Pakistan’s position, the United States asked Israel to step back.
Reuters reported that Pakistan’s military and Foreign Office did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Meanwhile, The Wall Street Journal also reported that Israel had temporarily removed both Iranian leaders from its target list for a few days in view of possible peace negotiations, although it did not mention Pakistan’s role.
Reports suggest that Pakistan, along with Egypt and Türkiye, is playing a mediating role to end tensions between Iran and the United States.
Islamabad is in direct contact with both Washington and Tehran, and is also being considered as a possible venue for peace talks.
According to sources, the US President Donald Trump has sent a 15-point plan to Iran through Pakistan aimed at ending the conflict. The proposal reportedly includes eliminating Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium, halting uranium enrichment, limiting its ballistic missile program, and ending financial support to allied groups in the region.
Trump stated that Iran is eager to reach an agreement, while Abbas Araghchi said Tehran is reviewing the proposal but currently has no intention of negotiating to end the war.
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