Mossad Director Roman Gofman met with CIA counterpart John Ratcliffe in Washington on Friday to discuss ongoing tensions with Iran, Axios reported.
The meeting occurred as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seeks support for a renewed military offensive against Tehran.
The visit, which also includes planned talks in Miami with White House envoy Steve Witkoff, remains unconfirmed by official channels. The Times of Israel reported that the Mossad, the CIA, and the White House all declined to comment on the travel or the agenda.
The intelligence chief’s trip follows a security briefing on Thursday where Netanyahu reportedly failed to convince opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot of the necessity for an immediate strike on Iran, The Times of Israel noted. Eisenkot, who leads the Yashar party, later stated on social media that the government requires “strict supervision” to prevent any attempt to “reap a political dividend” from national security decisions.
While Netanyahu pushes for action, internal security disagreements persist. According to Channel 12, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir remains the primary holdout among top security officials, arguing that while Iran presents a credible threat, the current urgency does not justify a strike that could destabilize the formation of a new government.
Conversely, Netanyahu, Gofman, Shin Bet chief David Zini, National Security Council chair Shmuel Ben Ezra, and Ambassador to the US Yechiel Leiter reportedly favor military action.
“the army's role is to prepare for war. What happens behind the scenes does not always indicate decisions that will be made,” a security source told the Kan public broadcaster.
Military Posture and Regional Tensions
On Friday, the US military’s Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed that Iran launched two one-way attack drones toward Bahrain overnight. US forces intercepted both drones, and no injuries or damage were reported. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed the strike targeted a US early-warning radar in retaliation for an attack on a telecommunications tower in southern Iran.
Simultaneously, the US Navy’s 5th Fleet, based in Bahrain, concluded a visit to Israel this week. During the trip, Vice Adm. Curt Renshaw met with Israeli Navy chief Vice Adm. Eyal Harel to discuss maritime security and coordination. The Israeli military stated the commanders focused on "strengthening the partnership to maintain regional stability and the security of maritime routes."
Mossad Director Roman Gofman is visiting Washington for talks with senior US officials as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu presses US President Donald Trump to resume the war on Iran, three sources familiar with the matter told Axios. Gofman, one of Netanyahu's closest… pic.twitter.com/JpQa4Rt3QG
Caretaker Government Constraints
The pressure for military action comes while Netanyahu’s government operates in a caretaker capacity following elections last month. Al Jazeera reported that while a caretaker prime minister has the legal authority to initiate military action, the political burden of such a decision is significant. Analysts said that Netanyahu is attempting to secure a military campaign while the opposition struggles to form a governing coalition.
A US military official told KAN on Thursday that Washington had advised Israel to prepare for a potential new round of confrontation, though President Donald Trump has publicly stated he prefers economic sanctions and port blockades over direct military strikes. Netanyahu has allegedly held multiple, at times heated, conversations with Trump to advocate for a more aggressive stance, Ynet News reported.
Questions About Possible Israeli Strikes on Iran
Is an Israeli strike on Iran currently confirmed?
No. While reports indicate that Netanyahu and several security chiefs are pushing for an immediate attack, the IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir has opposed the plan, and the US has publicly signaled a preference for economic pressure.
The government is currently in a caretaker capacity following last month’s Knesset elections. This status lasts until a new governing majority is successfully formed, a process that may take months.
Iran claimed that it targeted a US early-warning radar in Bahrain in response to an attack on a telecommunications tower in Iran’s southern Sirik county. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps stated the drone attack was a retaliatory measure for a previous strike on a telecommunications tower in Iran’s Sirik county. CENTCOM reported that US troops successfully shot down the drones before they reached their intended targets.
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