The head of the Mossad in Barnea arrived in the US for talks on Iran

First publication: Mossad head Dedi Barnea arrived in the United States today (Friday) for talks on the situation in Iran, according to an Israeli source and another source familiar with the details of the visit.

• Barnea’s visit is part of the consultations between the US and Israel regarding the protests in Iran and the possibility of American military action in response to the regime’s repression.
• Barnea is expected to meet in Miami with White House envoy Steve Witkoff, who manages the direct communication channel between the US and Iran. Witkoff was in contact with Iran’s foreign minister during the last two weeks when the protests in Iran took place.
• It is not yet clear whether Barnea will meet with President Trump at Mar-a-Lago over the weekend.

• Earlier this week, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi contacted Witkoff and suggested renewing the negotiations between the US and Iran and even holding a meeting.
• The Israeli government is concerned that the Iranians will use such negotiations to buy time and ease some of the American pressure on them.
• On the other hand, the unprecedented crisis in which the Iranian regime finds itself may be an opportunity to get the Iranians to agree to concessions that they were previously refused, both in the field of the nuclear program, both in the missile program and regarding their support for terrorist organizations in the region.

• Barnea’s trip to Miami took place after a telephone conversation held on Wednesday between Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding the crisis in Iran.
• During the conversation, Netanyahu asked Trump to delay military action against Iran to allow Israel more time to prepare for a possible Iranian response, American sources said.
• An Israeli source said that beyond the fear of an Iranian backlash, Israel believes that the current American plan, which includes strikes against targets of the Iranian security forces, is not powerful or effective enough to significantly undermine the regime.
• Senior American officials say that military action in Iran is still on the table if Iran returns to killing protesters. Israeli officials believe that despite the delay, an American military attack may be launched in the coming days.

• American sources say that the US military is sending additional defensive and offensive capabilities to the region to be ready in case Trump calls for an attack.
• The aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln and her strike group are making their way to the Middle East from South China waters. In addition, additional air defense systems, fighter jets and possibly submarines are expected to arrive in the area.