In an unusual diplomatic development, Israel and Syria held high-level talks aimed at reducing tensions between the two countries. Mossad director Roman Gofman met with Syrian Foreign Minister Assad Hassan al-Shibani, according to two sources with knowledge of the matter. One source involved in the details described the meeting between the two officials as productive.
The contact came just days after Israel conducted an unusual strike in the early morning hours on the Abu al-Duhur Syrian air force base. The operation heightened tensions among three close U.S. partners in the Middle East, precisely as the Trump administration seeks to prevent further escalation.
According to a senior American official, Israel briefed political-level officials in Washington that it possessed intelligence indicating Turkey's intention to position weapons systems at the Syrian base. The official added that despite initial criticism from envoy Tom Barak and frustration in the White House over Prime Minister Netanyahu's policy, the United States believes the Israeli intelligence is accurate.
The Syrian foreign minister clarified, however, that his government is not working with Turkey to establish a military presence at the targeted base. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump indicated he had been briefed on the strike but refrained from criticizing it, saying "I can't talk about that." Trump declined to say whether the briefing was provided before or after the operation.
