Ratcliffe, Mossad chief meet on Iran, nuclear talks

CIA Director John Ratcliffe recently met with the new head of Israel's Mossad spy agency in Washington to discuss the war in Iran and negotiations over Tehran's nuclear program, according to two sources familiar with the talks cited by Axios.

Roman Gofman's visit marked his first trip to Washington since becoming Mossad director in June and came shortly before tensions around the Strait of Hormuz escalated and fighting resumed in the Middle East.

According to Axios, one objective of the visit was to coordinate with the White House on negotiations with Iran over a nuclear agreement. Gofman met with Ratcliffe as well as White House officials, the sources said.

The report said Ratcliffe had been among the more skeptical voices within President Donald Trump's inner circle regarding the memorandum of understanding with Iran. Before it was signed, Ratcliffe reportedly warned that Tehran could interpret key provisions differently than the United States, including those related to the Strait of Hormuz.

Neither the CIA nor Mossad commented on the report, Axios said.

Gofman assumed leadership of Israel's intelligence agency on June 2 after legal challenges delayed his appointment. At his swearing-in ceremony, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Gofman's mission was to ensure Iran could no longer pose a threat to Israel and vowed that the Iranian "regime of terror will pass from this world."

The reported intelligence discussions come as Trump and Netanyahu are weighing their next steps in the conflict with Iran.

Axios reported Wednesday that Trump and Netanyahu have discussed the possibility of an Oval Office meeting next week, although no meeting has been finalized. Netanyahu is expected to travel to Washington to attend funeral ceremonies for the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., raising the possibility that the visit could include talks at the White House.

According to Axios, U.S. and Israeli officials are considering two primary paths forward: pursuing a new ceasefire proposal aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz or expanding joint military operations against Iran if diplomacy fails. Israeli officials told the outlet they are preparing for the possibility of a broader conflict but would participate only if Iran attacks or the United States requests Israeli involvement.

The White House has not announced plans for a meeting between Trump and Netanyahu, and the Israeli prime minister's office and the Israeli Embassy in Washington declined to comment, Axios reported.