Israel Brings Target Lists of Iranian Regime to Washington as Saudis Try Diplomatic Route Instead
According to a report by Jerusalem Post, on Thursday January 29, 2026, according to international individuals familiar with the negotiations, senior Israeli defence and intelligence officials have given the United States comprehensive intelligence identifying potential Iranian military targets.
This coincides with Saudi Arabia’s concurrent initiatives to advance diplomatic solutions, underscoring the contrasting viewpoints on the worsening tensions with Tehran.
In recent high-level meetings in Washington, the exchange of target intelligence was a key component. On Tuesday and Wednesday of this week, senior Pentagon, CIA, and White House officials met with Israeli Military Intelligence Directorate commander Maj.-Gen. Shlomi Binder.
Concurrent with these discussions, the United StatesS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group arrived in the Middle East, strengthening the presence of U.S. naval forces in the region after weeks of force mobilisation.
Mossad Director David Barnea had already travelled in the United States on January 16 for consultations, which Binder’s visit expanded upon.
Barnea took part in more national security discussions during his meeting with Steve Witkoff, the United States Special Envoy to the Middle East. Concerned about Tehran’s regional actions and internal crackdowns, Israeli sources said they prioritised actionable intelligence on Iranian sites.
On the other hand, defence minister Prince Khalid bin Salman and other Saudi officials met separately with their American colleagues to discuss de-escalation efforts.
Instead of resorting to military force, Riyadh and other Gulf states have pushed for diplomatic avenues as a means to prevent the conflict from spreading and open up possibilities for discussion.
U.S. policy towards Iran under Trump is complicated, and the two tracks show that.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly urged a gradual approach during a phone call with Trump earlier this month, allowing for a greater deployment of American assets for both possible aggressive strikes and Israeli defence.
The intelligence exchanges highlight Israel’s initiative in working with the US on issues pertaining to Iran.
Although no official statements have been made by those involved, these moves are in line with heightened regional vigilance in light of recent events involving Iran and proxy wars.
The deployment of the carriers is being characterised by US Central Command as an effort to promote stability and security.
According to observers, the White House’s future decisions about strikes vs. talks may be impacted by the mix of intelligence sharing and diplomatic efforts.