Araghchi and Ghalibaf Excluded From U.S.-Israel Strike List to Open Door for Talks

The Wall Street Journal has reported that Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf have been temporarily removed from the list of Iranian officials who could be targeted by U.S. and Israeli strikes.

Russia’s TASS news agency reported early Thursday, March 26, citing the newspaper, that the decision was made for four to five days to allow U.S. President Donald Trump to keep the door open for high-level negotiations aimed at ending the war.

At the same time, The New York Times reported that Washington has presented Tehran with a 15-point plan designed to help end the broader Middle East conflict.

Reports also say recent contacts have taken place between Washington and Tehran through mediators, including Pakistan, as diplomatic efforts continue behind the scenes.

However, Iranian officials have rejected U.S. claims that meaningful or constructive negotiations are currently underway.

The reported pause comes as regional tensions remain high and international actors continue pushing for a political solution instead of further military escalation.

Iran and the United States have long relied on indirect channels and third-party mediation during periods of crisis, especially when formal diplomacy has remained stalled.

Analysts say any temporary easing of military pressure on senior Iranian officials could be aimed at creating limited space for trust-building and testing whether serious talks are possible.

If these reports are confirmed, the move may signal a short but important diplomatic opening, even as both sides remain publicly divided over the prospects for peace.

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