According to US media, Burns will hold talks with Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, Mossad Director David Barnea and other senior defense officials.

During the visit, the CIA director will discuss Iran’s nuclear program and the Persian country’s activities in the region.

Officials from both countries will discuss Washington’s policy on the new Iranian government and the US intentions to rejoin the 2015 nuclear deal.

Burns also plans to meet this week with Palestinian Intelligence Chief Majed Faraj and other Palestinian officials during a stopover in Ramallah.

The trip comes amid tensions between Washington and Tehran after Israel accused the Persian country of attacking an Israeli oil tanker in the Sea of Oman last July.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Said Hatibazadeh denied his country’s responsibility in the action in which two crew members were killed.

The conflict between Washington and Tehran reached its most extreme point in January 2020, following Washington’s assassination of Iranian Military Commander Qasem Soleimani.

jg/abo/mgt/age