Roman Gofman, the newly installed director of Israel's Mossad intelligence service, traveled to Washington two weeks ago to meet with top U.S. officials and discuss escalating tensions over Iran's nuclear ambitions, according to sources familiar with the visit.
Gofman, who took over the Mossad post in June, sat down with CIA Director John Ratcliffe and White House staff during what marked his first trip to the capital since assuming his position. The timing proved significant, coming just before military tensions around the Strait of Hormuz flared and combat operations resumed in the region.
A key focus of the meetings centered on coordinating U.S. and Israeli strategy regarding potential nuclear negotiations with Iran. An Israeli source indicated that nuclear diplomacy formed a major part of the agenda during Gofman's visit.
Gofman's proximity to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gives him considerable weight in Israeli decision-making. His arrival in Washington underscored how closely Tel Aviv is monitoring American policy toward Tehran, particularly as the Trump administration navigates the landscape around a potential memorandum of understanding with Iran.
Ratcliffe has previously expressed reservations about such arrangements. Before any memorandum was signed, the CIA chief cautioned that Iran might interpret key provisions differently than Washington, specifically citing disagreements over terms affecting the strategic waterway and shipping lanes near the Gulf.
Both the CIA and Mossad declined to comment on the meeting or its specific outcomes.
Author James Rodriguez: "When Israel's top spy chief personally flies in to talk Iran with Ratcliffe, you know both capitals are bracing for something serious."
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