Israel Drops Iranian Officials After Pakistan Appeal
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- Israel removed Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Parliamentary Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf from its hit list after a Pakistani source said Pakistan asked the US not to target them.
- Pakistan reportedly urged the United States to tell Israel to back off, warning that eliminating the officials would leave no one left to negotiate with Iran.
- United States relayed Pakistan’s request to Israel, resulting in the temporary removal of the two officials for up to four or five days, according to U.S. officials cited by the Wall Street Journal.
- Egypt is acting as a mediator between Tehran and Washington, alongside Pakistan and Turkey, in efforts to end the Iran war, with Islamabad maintaining direct contact with both sides while other channels are frozen.
- Iran is reviewing a 15‑point proposal from President Donald Trump, delivered through Pakistan, which includes demands to halt uranium enrichment, curb ballistic missile production, and cut funding for regional allies.
- Donald Trump has said Iran is desperate to make a deal, while Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran is reviewing the proposal but has no intention of holding talks to wind down the conflict.
Why it matters: Iran gains a short‑term reprieve for two senior officials while Israel loses a tactical option to pressure Tehran, and the United States sees its mediation role reinforced as Pakistan’s intervention averts immediate targeting, shaping the early stages of a Trump‑backed peace plan.
