New Mossad chief, CIA director discuss Iran war, nuclear program in Washington meeting - report

Jerusalem Post/Israel News/Defense NewsAccording to Axios' sources, the visit aimed to coordinate the US and Israel ahead of the ongoing negotiations with Iran and the nuclear issue.Follow us on GoogleRoman Gofman, military secretary to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, waits before a joint press conference of US President Donald Trump and Netanyahu in the State Dining Room at the White House, in Washington, DC, US, September 29, 2025(photo credit: REUTERS/JONATHAN ERNST)ByJERUSALEM POST STAFFJULY 22, 2026 20:51Updated: JULY 22, 2026 21:31Roman Gofman, the new head of the Mossad, met with CIA Director John Ratcliffe during his recent trip to Washington to talk about the war in Iran and the latest developments on the Iranian nuclear program, Axios reported on Wednesday. This was Gofman's first trip to the US since being named chief of the Mossad back in June.According to Axios' sources, the visit aimed to coordinate the US and Israel ahead of the ongoing negotiations with Iran and the nuclear issue.The report also noted that Ratcliffe was among the most pessimistic US officials on the Memorandum of Understanding signed with Iran, warning that the Iranians would have a different interpretation of the deal than the US.Axios said that both the CIA and the Mossad refused to comment on the meeting.Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu holds first working meeting with the Director of the Mossad Roman Gofman at the Mossad headquarters. (credit: GPO)Gofman's first month as head of the MossadGofman was named chief of the Mossad on June 2, after a lengthy legal battle that required a ruling of the High Court of Justice in order to be approved.His selection was initially approved by the Senior Appointments Advisory Committee, which is tasked with examining whether there is any issue of integrity, conduct, or propriety that could make an appointment improper.The appointment then faced intense legal hurdles, with two petitions filed against it. One was filed by Ori Elmakayes and the Movement for Integrity in Government, and the other by the Movement for Quality Government in Israel and Forum Homat Magen LeIsrael.Attorney-General Gali Baharav-Miara also opposed the appointment before the court, arguing that the committee majority’s renewed approval still could not serve as a valid basis for Netanyahu’s decision.On June 1, the High Court of Justice rejected petitions challenging his appointment, with only Justice Dafna Barak-Erez dissenting, saying significant questions remained open and should still be examined before the appointment takes effect.Sarah Ben-Nun and Yonah Jeremy Bob contributed to this report.. Follow us on Google