Mossad Chief's Discussions with Trump's National Security Advisor Regarding Iran

According to Israeli media, a high-level security delegation from Israel has traveled to Washington to begin discussions with White House officials about Iran. The delegation is led by Mossad Chief Yossi Cohen, and reports indicate that General Hertzi Halevi, head of Aman (military intelligence), Eitan Ben David, Deputy National Security Advisor, Zoher Palti, head of the political-security section at the Ministry of Defense, and Ron Dermer, Israel's ambassador to the U.S., are accompanying him. The main topics of discussion in Washington include the 'dangers of Iran's military presence and its affiliates in Syria' and countering the 'strengthening of Iran and Hezbollah in Syria.' Meetings of this security delegation with White House officials began on Thursday, August 17, with a meeting with General Herbert McMaster, National Security Advisor to Donald Trump. Dina Powell, Deputy National Security Advisor, and other members of this body were also present at the Thursday meeting. Jason Greenblatt, U.S. Special Envoy for International Negotiations, who attended the meeting, described it on his Twitter account as 'very productive and centered on the strong and ongoing alliance' of the two countries. According to the Israeli website Walla, topics discussed at the White House meeting included 'ceasefire in Syria,' 'Israel's request to distance Iran from Syria,' and 'countering Hezbollah's capability to threaten regional stability.' The Israeli newspaper Israel Hayom reported that Israeli officials are urging the Trump administration to adopt 'more decisive methods to monitor Iranian movements in the region.' On the other hand, the Walla website reported that the Israeli delegation presented its concerns regarding the ceasefire in southern Syria, but the positions of the U.S. and Russia on this matter have not changed. The ceasefire in southern Syria has been in effect with U.S. and Russian support for several weeks and continues. A few days prior to the trip to Washington, the Mossad chief reported to his cabinet that 'changes in the Middle East have been detrimental to Israel' and that 'wherever ISIS has retreated, Iran has taken its place.' Mr. Cohen also stated that Iran has not abandoned its ambition to become a nuclear state and that 'the JCPOA has reinforced this desire and Iran's aggressive approach.' Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly emphasized the 'danger posed by Iran' to Israel's security in recent days, stating that his country is 'using all its capabilities to counter these threats.' Israeli Channel 2 also reported on Tuesday about 'the construction of an Iranian missile production facility' near the city of Banias in Syria. This report claimed, based on images taken from an Israeli satellite, that this facility in Syria bears 'a strong resemblance' to a missile manufacturing plant near Tehran. Earlier, the Israeli Defense Minister had pointed out the establishment of 'secret weapons production facilities for Hezbollah' in Syria, stating that Israel is 'fully alert and taking necessary actions.' Israeli media have also paid significant attention to a recent report from the Lebanese network Al-Mayadeen regarding the military presence of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard in the battlefield scenes in Syria, viewing it as a sign of Iran's consolidation in this neighboring country of Israel, although Al-Mayadeen removed this report from its website the same day. Meanwhile, Israel Hayom reported on Thursday that during the upcoming visit of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to Jerusalem, the President and Prime Minister of Israel will warn about 'the dangers posed by Iran and Hezbollah' in Syria for Israel's security. According to this newspaper, Israel is urging the Security Council to take 'serious steps' to prevent Iranian weapons from reaching Hezbollah through Syria. Iran has always stated that its 'advisory' presence in Syria is at the request of the 'legitimate government' of Bashar al-Assad.