Media: Mossad chief touches down in US for Iran talks

The director of Israel's Mossad spy agency, David Barnea, arrived in the United States on January 16 for discussions on the rapidly evolving situation in Iran, according to an Israeli source and another source familiar with the meetings.

Barnea's visit comes amid ongoing US-Israel consultations over the nationwide protests in Iran and the potential for American military action in response to the regime's crackdown, Caliber.Az reports via Axios.

He is expected to meet in Miami with White House envoy Steve Witkoff, who is managing direct communications between the US and Iran. Witkoff has recently been in contact with Iran's foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, as the protests continue. It remains unclear whether Barnea will meet President Trump at Mar-a-Lago over the weekend.

The visit follows a phone call on January 14 between President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. During the call, Netanyahu reportedly asked Trump to delay any military action, allowing Israel more time to prepare for potential Iranian retaliation.

An Israeli source added that, alongside concerns about retaliation, the current US plan includes targeted strikes on Iranian security forces. However, Israel views these measures as insufficient to significantly destabilise the regime.

US officials have stressed that military action remains on the table if Iran resumes killing protesters, while Israeli officials believe a strike could still occur in the coming days despite the delay.

To bolster readiness, the US military is deploying additional defensive and offensive capabilities to the region. The Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier and its strike group are en route from the South China Sea, alongside extra air defence systems, fighter jets, and potentially submarines.

The situation is further complicated by diplomacy. When Araghchi reached out to Witkoff, he proposed a meeting and the resumption of nuclear negotiations. Israel is concerned that such talks could be used by Iran to gain time and relieve pressure from the US.

Nevertheless, some officials believe the crisis could push the Iranian regime toward concessions it has previously rejected, including on its nuclear programme, missile development, and support for proxy groups.

By Aghakazim Guliyev