Israel Matzav

Mossad head visited Washington to discuss Iranian nuke program

On Tuesday, Senator Diane Feinstein told a televised Congressional hearing that Mossad director Tamir Pardo was in Washington last week to meet with her and CIA director David Petraeus on Iran's nuclear program.

Sensitive trips by intelligence chiefs are usually kept secret but Feinstein, the chairwoman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, mentioned Pardo’s visit at a televised hearing as she discussed how Israel views Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

“Well, the vice chairman and I have just met this past week with the director of Mossad, so that is a classified meeting,” Feinstein said at the hearing.

The Central Intelligence Agency director confirmed the meeting and said he was frequently talking to Israel’s leaders, who he said viewed Iran’s nuclear program as an “existential threat.”

“Like you, obviously, I met with the head of Mossad when he was here,” Petraeus said.

“That is part of an ongoing dialogue that has also included conversations that I’ve had with Prime Minister (Benjamin) Netanyahu and with (Defense) Minister (Ehud) Barak—the latter almost on a monthly basis in the nearly five months that I’ve been in the job,” he said.

Feinstein cited her meeting with the Mossad director after asking US intelligence chiefs about the likelihood of possible pre-emptive military action by Israel against Iran’s nuclear sites.

US National Intelligence Director James Clapper replied that sanctions would hopefully convince Tehran to abandon its nuclear work but said he would prefer to answer the question in a closed-door session.

Israeli officials have sent conflicting messages about potential military strikes on Iran.

What could go wrong?

Labels: Iranian nuclear program, Mossad

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 12:50 AM