New Delhi: The joint United States and Israeli strikes on Iran were launched after an “operational opportunity” emerged following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s departure from Tel Aviv, Israel’s Ambassador to India, Reuven Azar, has said.
According to the envoy, the decision to carry out the strikes was taken only after Modi concluded his two day state visit to Israel on February 25 and 26. During the visit, discussions between Modi and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu focused on regional developments, but the possibility of immediate military action was not on the table at the time. Approval for the operation was granted by Israel’s security cabinet on the morning of February 28.
The strikes, carried out jointly by the United States and Israel under the codename Operation Epic Fury, targeted multiple Iranian cities including Tehran. The assault followed stalled nuclear negotiations and allegations that Tehran had resumed sensitive nuclear activities. More than 700 people were reported killed in the attacks.
Among those killed was Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, who died in the strike on his residential compound. Members of his immediate family were also reported dead. With no designated successor in place, an interim three member leadership council comprising Ayatollah Alireza Arafi, President Masoud Pezeshkian and Chief Justice Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei assumed responsibilities. Israeli media later reported that Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei had been chosen by the Assembly of Experts as the next Supreme Leader.
Iran responded with missile attacks across parts of the Gulf, including the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Bahrain, intensifying tensions. US President Donald Trump warned that it was too late for Iran to seek talks to avoid further conflict.
Azar said Israel had invested heavily over the years in intelligence gathering and advanced military technologies to counter threats from Iran and its regional proxies. He added that coordination with the United States and regional partners had been strengthened in recent years, enabling closer surveillance and operational preparedness across West Asia.
