Mossad Chief Hands over Evidence of Iran’s Nuclear Ambitions to Washington

A photo published by Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid's Twitter account of his consultations with Mossad chief David Barnea last week (Asharq Al-Awsat)
A photo published by Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid's Twitter account of his consultations with Mossad chief David Barnea last week (Asharq Al-Awsat)
TT
20

Mossad Chief Hands over Evidence of Iran’s Nuclear Ambitions to Washington

A photo published by Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid's Twitter account of his consultations with Mossad chief David Barnea last week (Asharq Al-Awsat)
A photo published by Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid's Twitter account of his consultations with Mossad chief David Barnea last week (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Mossad chief David Barnea concluded his visit to Washington, where he held talks with senior US officials and presented them with sensitive intelligence information confirming Iran’s dishonesty in its nuclear negotiations with the US and world powers, according to Tel Aviv political sources.

According to evidence carried by Barnea, Iran is pushing onward with its efforts to enrich uranium and its project for nuclear armament.

Barnea told US military and political officials that Israel fears that the free world has missed its chance and that Iran is on the verge of producing nuclear weapons.

The Mossad chief held meetings with CIA counterpart William Burns, FBI director Christopher Wray, National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley and senior officials at the State Department.

“The enrichment of uranium to 60 % means that they now have the tools and can make at least one nuclear bomb,” Barnea told US officials, accusing Iran of deceiving the international community.

Israeli sources said that Barnea is working alongside other Israeli officials to persuade US and European officials to harden their positions on Iran and prevent it from reaching its nuclear ambitions.

Israeli officials are trying to get International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) member states to ratify a resolution against Iran considering a new report issued by the UN.

The UN report had confirmed that the amount of enriched uranium that Tehran possesses may be sufficient for producing a nuclear bomb if Iran chose to continue enriching uranium to 90 %.

A return to a nuclear deal with Iran is unlikely to take place before the US holds its midterm elections in November, a European diplomatic source told the Jerusalem Post on Wednesday.



India Troops Beef Up Security in Kashmir Following Attack on Tourists

Indian security personnel stand guard outside Pakistan High Commission after a deadly attack on tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir, in New Delhi, India, 23 April 2025. EPA/RAJAT GUPTA
Indian security personnel stand guard outside Pakistan High Commission after a deadly attack on tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir, in New Delhi, India, 23 April 2025. EPA/RAJAT GUPTA
TT
20

India Troops Beef Up Security in Kashmir Following Attack on Tourists

Indian security personnel stand guard outside Pakistan High Commission after a deadly attack on tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir, in New Delhi, India, 23 April 2025. EPA/RAJAT GUPTA
Indian security personnel stand guard outside Pakistan High Commission after a deadly attack on tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir, in New Delhi, India, 23 April 2025. EPA/RAJAT GUPTA

Security has been beefed up across Indian-controlled Kashmir a day after an attack killed at least 26 people, most of them tourists, as Indian forces launched a manhunt for the perpetrators of one of the deadliest attacks in the restive Himalayan region.
As investigators began probing the attack, many shops and businesses in Kashmir closed to protest the killings following a call from the region’s religious and political parties, The Associated Press reported.
Tens of thousands of armed police and soldiers fanned out across the region and erected additional checkpoints. They searched cars and in some areas summoned former militants to police stations for questioning, reports said.
Police called the incident a “terror attack” and blamed militants fighting against Indian rule. There was no immediate claim of responsibility.
Officials said 24 of the people killed were Indian tourists, one was from Nepal and one was a local tourist guide. At least 17 others were injured.
Separately, soldiers killed two suspected militants in a gunfight after they tried to cross into Indian side from Pakistan-controlled Kashmir in northwestern Baramulla district along the heavily militarized Line of Control dividing the region, the Indian army said in a statement on Wednesday. There was no independent confirmation of the incident.
Kashmir has seen a spate of deadly attacks on Hindus, including immigrant workers from Indian states, since New Delhi ended the region’s semi-autonomy in 2019 and drastically curbed dissent, civil liberties and media freedoms.
New Delhi has vigorously pushed tourism and the region has drawn millions of visitors to its Himalayan foothills and exquisitely decorated houseboats.