CIA chief makes his first visit to Israel to discuss Iran

Head of US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), William Burns, is making his first visit to Israel today to discuss Iran and the nuclear deal talks.

According to Wallah, Israeli officials said Burns is to meet Mossad Director David Barnea, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, and other defence and intelligence officials during his three-day visit.

The CIA chief and the Israeli officials will reportedly concentrate on Iran, including its nuclear programme, a possible nuclear deal with the US, the tensions with Israel over the recent attack on the Israeli-run Mercer Street tanker, and Iran’s activities in the region.

Burns’ visit to Israel comes amidst high tensions between Israel and Lebanon’s Hezbollah, which Israel considers an Iranian proxy on its northern borders.

The CIA chief is also expected to meet with Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas, Chief of PA Intelligence Majed Faraj, and others in the occupied West Bank city of Ramallah to discuss the expansion of security cooperation with Israel.

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