News in brief

Friday 27 March 2026

Israel reportedly planned to kill possible ceasefire negotiator

The US is believed to have intervened

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Israel has killed the Iranian navy chief overseeing the Strait of Hormuz blockade, but pulled back from further assassinations after a demand from the US. Tel Aviv knew the movements of Abbas Araghchi, Iran’s foreign minister, and Mohammed-Bagher Ghalibaf, Washington’s choice to lead ceasefire negotiations. Pakistani officials reportedly told the US that if these figures were eliminated there would be “no one else to talk to”. The WSJ said that Araghchi and Ghalibaf have been off the target list for a few days, but their inclusion raises questions about whether Israel has any desire for a ceasefire. Tel Aviv is believed to want a few more weeks of fighting to complete its goals. For Trump, and the global economy, time is of the essence.

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