Jerusalem Post: Mossad chief Hofman dismisses three senior officials
In Israel, Mossad chief Roman Hofman dismissed the service’s deputy chief, the head of the analytical division, and the head of the Iran desk. According to The Jerusalem Post, the personnel changes are linked to a review of approaches to Iran and the preparation of new plans to replace previous regime-change scenarios in Tehran.
Hofman took office on June 2. The publication writes that he had little time for a handover from his predecessor, David Barnea, who was involved in a legal challenge concerning the appointment of the new Mossad chief. According to the newspaper, the court dispute ended that same week.
Approaches to Iran
According to The Jerusalem Post, Hofman sees the main challenge as finding a balance between short-term covert operations—intelligence and operational—and long-term plans for regime change in Iran. The publication claims that he seeks to combine long-running sabotage projects with actions capable of delivering quicker results.
The newspaper’s sources also link the dismissal of the three officials to Hofman’s belief that the previous regime-change plans cannot be implemented without substantial revision or must be replaced entirely. In addition to countering Iran’s nuclear program, Mossad’s role may grow in tracking and deterring Iran’s ballistic missile program.
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According to The Jerusalem Post’s assessment, Hofman views Hamas, Hezbollah, Yemen’s Houthis, and Iran as interconnected components of a single strategic challenge. The publication also suggests that Mossad may continue or expand social media influence campaigns directed against Iran.
Contacts with the United States and Syria
On July 22, Hofman made his first trip to the United States after his appointment. According to the publication, the purpose of the visit was to coordinate Israeli and U.S. positions on negotiations with Iran and nuclear issues. The Jerusalem Post notes that cooperation between Mossad and the CIA remains close and effective.
It is also reported that Hofman met with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani, as well as the heads of the country’s general and military intelligence services. A separate priority for Mossad remains countering terrorist plots against Jews in various countries, a significant share of which the publication links to Iran.
