HIGHINTELLIGENCE

Israel had targeting coords for Araghchi and Qalibaf — backed off at Pakistan/US request

2026-03-26 · 07:10 UTC·Jerusalem, Israel / Islamabad, Pakistan / Washington D.C., USA

Pakistan told the United States that if Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi and parliament speaker Qalibaf were killed, there would be no one left to negotiate with, prompting Washington to ask Israel to stand down. Israel had live targeting coordinates for both officials. The disclosure confirms Israel's intent to continue eliminating senior Iranian leadership and reveals Pakistan's active role as a diplomatic circuit-breaker protecting Iranian negotiating capacity.

A Pakistani official told Reuters on 26 March 2026 that Israel had targeting coordinates for Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, and intended to strike them. Pakistan intervened, telling Washington: 'If they are also eliminated then there is no one else to talk to,' prompting the US to request Israel back off. Both officials had been granted temporary immunity by the US and Israel earlier in the conflict to open a direct talks pathway. The revelation shows Israel was prepared to revoke that immunity and target both men, but deferred to US diplomatic priorities at Pakistan's urging. The disclosure underscores the fragility of any negotiating track: Israel retains targeting capability against senior Iranian officials and has exercised restraint only at explicit American request. Pakistan's role as an interlocutor between Washington and Tehran — including as a proposed venue for talks — gives it significant leverage in keeping the diplomatic channel open.

israeliranaraghchiqalibafpakistannegotiationstargeting

Actor responses

Israel Defense ForcesOPPOSINGINTELLIGENCE

Israel has not confirmed or denied having targeting coordinates for Araghchi or Qalibaf. It previously granted both officials temporary immunity to enable a direct talks pathway, but a Pakistani official says Israel intended to strike both and only backed off after a US request.

United StatesNEUTRALDIPLOMATIC

The US asked Israel to stand down after Pakistan intervened, arguing that eliminating Araghchi and Qalibaf would leave no one to negotiate with. The US has been pursuing a diplomatic off-ramp through Pakistani channels while simultaneously continuing military operations.

IranOPPOSINGDIPLOMATIC

Iran has not publicly commented on the reported Israeli targeting of its foreign minister and parliament speaker. FM Araghchi has continued making public statements rejecting US proposals and stating Iran has 'no intention of negotiating for now.'

Sources

T1Reuters via Times of Israel8% reliability