Washington: Mossad Director Roman Gofman has arrived in Washington, D.C., for a series of closed-door meetings with CIA Director John Ratcliffe, according to reports. He is also said to be planning a trip to Miami to meet White House special envoy Steve Witkoff. The visit comes as both the United States and Israel face serious domestic political turmoil, even as the two allies continue to refine their strategies on Iran. There has been no official statement on the meetings.
Divergent approaches on Iran
Washington and Tel Aviv are reportedly at odds over the next step against Iran. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is said to be weighing a direct military strike, while US President Donald Trump favors a different course. On the advice of Gulf nations, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE and Bahrain, Trump is reportedly inclined to increase pressure on Iran through economic sanctions and a naval blockade rather than war. In an interview, Trump said the peaceful route was chosen at the request of Gulf countries.
Netanyahu under political pressure
In Israel, Netanyahu’s government has lost its majority. Opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot is preparing to form a new government. Opposition parties have voiced concern that Netanyahu could order a surprise attack on Iran to protect his position. Eisenkot has already cautioned the prime minister against exploiting sensitive security matters for political gain. Analysts say the secret Mossad-CIA consultations could lead to major shifts in the Middle East at any moment.