Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dispatched Mossad Director Roman Gofman to Washington for high-level discussions aimed at persuading the Trump administration to reconsider its approach toward Iran and potentially resume military operations against the Islamic Republic. According to an exclusive report by Axios published November 13, Gofman is scheduled to meet CIA Director John Ratcliffe and could also travel to Miami for discussions with White House envoy Steve Witkoff. Gofman is considered one of Netanyahu's closest confidants, making his diplomatic mission particularly significant as Israel continues pushing for stronger action against Tehran. The visit comes amid growing differences between Jerusalem and Washington, with Netanyahu arguing that economic pressure alone cannot adequately address Iran's nuclear and military capabilities, while President Donald Trump has so far resisted restarting a major military campaign. The Israeli government remains concerned that Tehran could use the breathing room to preserve enriched uranium, rebuild damaged military infrastructure, and protect nuclear facilities that survived previous attacks. Gofman's mission follows an earlier Washington visit in July, when he met American intelligence and administration officials to coordinate discussions concerning Iran's nuclear program and the ongoing conflict.

Trump, meanwhile, has favored maintaining economic pressure, sanctions, and the naval blockade rather than immediately committing American forces to another large-scale offensive. According to Axios, several Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, have also encouraged Washington to prioritize negotiations and economic restrictions, fearing that renewed fighting could trigger further attacks against regional infrastructure, commercial shipping, and energy facilities. The disagreement comes at a politically sensitive moment for Netanyahu, whose Likud-led bloc failed to secure a parliamentary majority in Israel's October 27 election, leaving the country facing a period of political uncertainty. Opposition figure Gadi Eisenkot has also warned against using military decisions for political purposes, adding another dimension to the scrutiny surrounding Netanyahu's Iran strategy. Although the political circumstances have prompted questions about the timing of renewed military action, they do not independently establish Netanyahu's motives for pursuing it. Gofman's arrival in Washington therefore represents another effort by Israel's leadership to influence Trump's calculations, as the two allies weigh competing approaches to preventing Iran from rebuilding its strategic capabilities.