WASHINGTON: The United States and Israel have temporarily removed two senior Iranian officials from their target list in a move aimed at facilitating possible peace talks, according to US officials.
Citing a report by the Wall Street Journal, US officials said the names of Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi have been taken off the target list for a period of four to five days.
The decision comes as former US president Donald Trump seeks to pave the way for high-level negotiations to end the ongoing war, the report stated.
According to the Wall Street Journal, mediators from Turkey, Pakistan, and Egypt are actively working to persuade both the United States and Iran to agree to immediate talks. The goal is to first establish a ceasefire, which would then open the door for broader negotiations.
However, US officials expressed skepticism about the likelihood of success, citing significant differences in the conditions set by Washington and Tehran. Despite the temporary de-escalation in targeting, the prospects for a breakthrough remain low, officials said.
