The director of Israel’s national intelligence agency arrived in the U.S. on Friday to hash out a strategy about potential strikes in Iran due to the harsh violence the government has reportedly committed against protesters in the country.
David Barnea, head of Israel’s Mossad agency, landed in Florida and is scheduled to meet with White House Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff in Miami, Axios reported. The two are expected to discuss details for any potential strikes on Iran or other ramifications. Witkoff is reportedly maintaining communication and access with the Iranian government, according to Axios, including regular contact with Abbas Araghchi, Iran’s foreign minister.
Barnea reportedly spoke with President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu by phone on Wednesday to discuss Iran. Netanyahu reportedly asked Trump to “postpone any plans” for a military strike on Iran, the New York Times reported.
It is believed the request to delay military action is to allow Israel extra time to fortify its country and prepare for expected retaliatory strikes from Iran, according to Axios. Additionally, discussions between Israel and the U.S. persist over a perceived concern that the current plan for U.S. strikes was not as strong as needed to adequately impair and damage the Iranian government. Also, it was reported that countries such as Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt also encouraged the U.S. not to proceed with strikes, warning that such a tactic could lead to more violence and worse conditions.
Trump had threatened military action against Iran for state violence against the protesters in the country over reports that the Iranian regime was killing the dissenters, according to multiple sources. However, it appears he has cooled on that in recent days, after reports that Iran had reversed course and opted not to execute approximately 800 protesters after Trump’s warnings to Iran.
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White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt acknowledged the communication between Trump and Netanyahu on Thursday, but did not provide any specifics over what was discussed, according to The Times of Israel.
“The president and his team have communicated to the Iranian regime that if the killing continues, there will be consequences,” said Leavitt. “The president [then] received a message… that the killing and the executions will stop.”
“The president understands today that 800 executions that were scheduled and supposed to take place yesterday were halted,” added the press secretary. “The president and his team are closely monitoring the situation, and all options remain on the table.”