The key facts

  • Roman Gofman met with CIA Director John Ratcliffe in Washington and with envoy Steve Witkoff in Miami
  • He was expected to speak at the first security cabinet meeting after the October 27 elections
  • At the previous meeting in early October, the cabinet decided to raise military readiness under a number of scenarios

US visit and intelligence handover

Mossad Director Roman Gofman returned to Israel on Sunday after talks with senior US officials on the Iran issue, Israeli media report, citing the Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper. According to the outlet, Gofman passed the latest Israeli intelligence on Iran to senior members of the US administration and CIA Director John Ratcliffe. The Times of Israel specifies that he met with Ratcliffe in Washington and with White House envoy Steve Witkoff in Miami.

Briefing to the cabinet and meeting with the prime minister

According to media reports, Gofman was expected to brief ministers on Sunday evening at the first meeting of the security cabinet following the October 27 parliamentary elections, and then meet privately with acting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. At the previous meeting in early October, the cabinet decided to raise military readiness under several scenarios, including an Israeli strike on Iran or a surprise Iranian attack, Yedioth Ahronoth writes.

Discussion of possible military action

Yedioth Ahronoth reports that in recent weeks Netanyahu has discussed possible military action against Iran with the heads of the security services, including steps that could provoke a large-scale Iranian response. According to the newspaper, citing publications, Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir opposed such action ahead of the elections. The outlet also notes that the cabinet may have considered authorizing military action against Iran, but it did not provide details of a potential operation or any decision that had been made.