Mossad chief visits Washington as Netanyahu pushes Trump to resume Iran war

Key points

• Mossad director Roman Gofman is meeting with CIA Director John Ratcliffe in Washington and is expected to meet White House envoy Steve Witkoff in Miami.
• Trump has rejected Netanyahu’s calls to resume war, siding with Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE to maintain a naval blockade and economic pressure on Iran.
• Netanyahu lost his parliamentary majority in the October 27 election, and opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot has been tasked with forming a new government.
• Israeli opposition leaders warn that Netanyahu may provoke a conflict to undermine Eisenkot’s efforts to form a coalition, citing concerns about a lack of oversight during the transition.
• US Central Command has reportedly urged Israel to prepare for a potential resumption of fighting, though CENTCOM later dismissed reports of a specific directive as speculation.
• Trump stated in an interview that he would consider it a defeat if Iran’s current regime remained in power at the end of his presidency, but said renewed military action does not appear necessary at this time.

Background

This situation follows the US midterm elections and a stalled diplomatic process regarding Iran’s nuclear program. Previous coverage noted that Netanyahu had urged Trump to resume strikes immediately after the midterms, while Trump prioritized diplomacy. The current tension is exacerbated by Netanyahu’s loss of his parliamentary majority, which has led to concerns that he may use military action to maintain power or block the formation of a new government. The US has also been shifting its defense relationship with Israel from military aid to a stronger strategic partnership, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio suggesting Israel is financially ready to purchase weapons without US financing.

How outlets are covering it

Axios reports that Gofman’s visit is part of Netanyahu’s push to resume the war, while Trump has rejected this pressure. Al Jazeera highlights the legal and political constraints on Netanyahu’s caretaker government, noting that while he can legally initiate military action, the opposition and military establishment oppose it. Ynetnews describes a heated exchange between Trump and Netanyahu, with Netanyahu’s office denying reports of a shouting match. CBN reports that Israel has no immediate plans for a strike but that US CENTCOM has urged preparation for renewed fighting. The sources differ on the level of urgency, with some emphasizing the political motivations behind Netanyahu’s push and others focusing on the strategic and diplomatic considerations.

Why it matters

The potential resumption of war with Iran could have significant regional and global implications, affecting US-Iran relations, the stability of the Middle East, and the political future of Netanyahu’s government. The decision to resume or not resume military action will be influenced by the balance between diplomatic efforts, economic pressure, and the political dynamics within Israel and the US. The outcome could also impact the broader US-Israel defense relationship and the future of US military aid to Israel.

What to watch

The next steps will likely involve continued diplomatic efforts between the US and Iran, as well as potential military preparations by both sides. The outcome of Eisenkot’s efforts to form a new government will also be crucial, as it could determine whether Netanyahu remains in power or is replaced. The US and its allies will likely continue to monitor the situation closely, with the possibility of further diplomatic or military action depending on the developments in the coming weeks.