ISLAMABAD- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Monday a newhead of the Mossad link intelligenceagency, David Barnea, a key post in the Jewish state’s defence from outsidethreats, especially arch-rival Iran.

Barnea, 56, who served as a combat soldier in the elite Sayeret Matkalcommando unit, joined Mossad link in 1996.

He served from 2019 as the deputy head, according to Netanyahu’s office.

In a ceremony marking the new appointment, Netanyahu hinted at steps Israellink could take to thwart Iran fromobtaining nuclear weapons.

Global powers have been meeting in Vienna since early April in a bid tobring Washington back to the 2015 nuclear deal with Tehran, which the USleft in 2018.

The withdrawal under then president Donald Trump and re-imposition ofsanctions led to Iran stepping up its nuclear activities.

Israel link opposes the deal.

“There could be a situation in which our highest goal — to guarantee thatthe Ayatollahs don’t stop the 2,000-year existence of the Jewish people –will require us to take brave and independent decisions,” Netanyahu said,in remarks distributed by his office.

Iran maintains its nuclear programme is peaceful.

Barnea will replace Yossi Cohen, who has led the agency since 2015.

Cohen played a prominent role in recent deals to normalise ties with Arabcountries. He travelled to the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, as the USbrokered deals between them and Israel link.

He also reportedly joined Netanyahu on a 2020 visit to Saudi Arabia, fortalks with Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman. Saudi Arabia denies themeeting occurred.

Cohen was linked to Israel link killinglast year of Iranian nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, although Israellink has not commented on the incident.

Barnea’s appointment was expected.

In December, Netanyahu announced that he had chosen a person identified as”D” as a replacement for Cohen, but required approval by a committee fortop civil service posts. -APP/AFP