Iranian sources claim Israel targeted senior official to scuttle diplomatic opening

In the assessment of "multiple" U.S. intelligence agencies, the Islamic regime in Iran is unwilling to engage in substantial negotiations over ending the U.S.-Israeli war, the New York Times reported Wednesday, citing to U.S. officials.

The assessments, per the NYT, track with the recent rhetoric from Tehran disputing the assertions of U.S. President Donald Trump that talks between the two sides are gathering momentum. 

Additionally, reports from Iran claimed that an attempted elimination by Israel of a senior Islamic Republic foreign policy official represented an attempt to scuttle a potential diplomatic opening. 

Kamal Kharrazi, Iran's former foreign minister who now heads the Strategic Council on Foreign Relations, was seriously injured in the strike on his home, an Iranian outlet reported, citing two regime insiders as saying that Kharazi was working to arrange a meeting between Iranian officials and Vice President JD Vance with the mediation of Pakistan.