AiBotA classified intelligence document has revealed that Israel is aggressively pushing the United States to kill Iran’s top negotiator, Mohamad Bagher Ghalibaf, and resume full-scale war against the country. The move comes as tensions rise between the two nations, with Israel reportedly trying to obstruct US-Iran talks.
According to sources familiar with the document, Israel is lobbying the US to assassinate Ghalibaf, who has been Tehran’s lead negotiator throughout the stalled talks with Washington that began last month. The Israeli government is arguing that another round of strikes against Iran’s oil infrastructure will generate enough economic devastation and unrest to trigger regime change in Tehran.
The sources revealed that Israeli officials are trying to downplay the impact of any potential new Iranian retaliation, claiming that the economic situation would remain “manageable.” Additionally, the document states that Israel has pitched the assassination of Ghalibaf to Washington, although it is unlikely to target other high-ranking officials such as Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi or Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, whose whereabouts are unknown to the Mossad.
Israel’s plan in the event of renewed war focuses on targeting low-level officials from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), establishing air superiority, and suppressing Iranian missile sites. The document also notes that Israel has a history of assassinating negotiators, including Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh during the Gaza genocide, and Iranian policy advisor and former diplomat Kamal Kharazi during the war on Iran this year.
This report comes as US officials claim that a deal between Tehran and Washington is almost finalized. However, Israel’s push for war is likely to increase tensions between the two nations and complicate the ongoing negotiations. The Israeli government’s reliance on US military support and coordination makes it unlikely to pursue a course of action without Washington’s blessing, albeit they remain deferential to their ally for now.
It is worth noting that Israel’s efforts to assassinate Ghalibaf and trigger regime change in Tehran are not new. In 1997, Israel had attempted to assassinate Iran’s President Mohammed Khatami and in 1988, they had blown up the Air Iran Flight 655 down over Iraq’s sea line in international airspace. This aggressive posture has been a hallmark of Israel’s approach to its neighbors, particularly Iran.
The latest development in the US-Iran talks is a stark reminder of the complexities and challenges involved in brokering a peace agreement between two nations with deeply entrenched differences. As tensions between the US, Israel, and Iran continue to escalate, it remains to be seen whether Washington will heed Israel’s call for war, or maintain its efforts to secure a diplomatic solution.