U.S. Central Intelligence Agency Director John Ratcliffe traveled to Moscow this week, with the visit confirmed through open-source tracking of a U.S. Air Force jet and social media footage of a diplomatic motorcade. Multiple outlets reported the purpose as conveying warnings against Russian attacks on NATO members and additional sanctions on Iran if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed to shipping. The trip occurred against the backdrop of six months of conflict involving the U.S., Israel, and Iran.