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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced yesterday evening that the current head of the National Security Council, Yossi Cohen will become the 12th head of the Mossad intelligence agency, ending weeks of speculation.

Until relatively recently, the name of the Mossad chief remained a secret. However, Netanyahu made the announcement live on national television, saying that 54-year-old Cohen has “much experience and many achievements, and proven ability in a wide range of Mossad activities.” Unlike most security appointments, the Mossad director is appointed by the prime minister alone. Netanyahu also praised the other two candidates for the role, Rami Ben Barak, the current Director General of the Ministry for Intelligence Affairs and the current Deputy Director of Mossad, identified only by the initial N.

Accepting his new role, Cohen said, “I want to thank the prime minister for the faith that he has placed in me. I am excited by the scale of the role and its importance.” He pledged to provide Israel with “quality intelligence.”

Cohen joined Mossad in 1982 and rose through the ranks, developing particular expertise in the recruitment and handling of agents abroad. Commentators in the Israeli media, including Yediot Ahronot’s Ronen Bergman and Maariv’s Alon Ben-David credit Cohen with spearheading the Mossad’s attempts to thwart Iran’s nuclear development, which are thought to include sophisticated computer viruses and the assassination of key scientists. He has been awarded Israel Defence Prize for an operation in which he participated. Cohen was appointed to head the National Security Council in 2013 and is thought to have subsequently developed a close working relationship with Netanyahu.

Cohen will succeed Tamir Pardo, who stands down as Mossad chief in January at the end of a five-year term. Israel Radio news says that Cohen and Pardo spoke yesterday and agreed a plan for a smooth transition.