'Only After PM Modi Left': Israeli Envoy Details 'Operational Opportunity' Before Attacking Iran

Last Updated:March 04, 2026, 10:50 IST

Israel, on February 28, in a joint operation with the United States attacked Iran, targeting many cities, including the capital, Tehran.

In a big statement, Israeli envoy Reuven Azar said that the joint US-Israeli strikes against Iran were conducted during an “operational opportunity" that arose “only after Prime Minister Narendra Modi left" Tel Aviv.

Detailing what went behind Israel’s plan during its “pre-emptive strikes" on Iran, the Israeli Ambassador to India said it was not known during PM Modi’s visit that the strikes on Tehran would be undertaken.

“It was an operational opportunity that came up only after Prime Minister Narendra Modi left. Of course, during the conversations with PM Modi during the visit, we talked about regional development, but we couldn’t have actually shared something that we didn’t know," Azar was quoted as saying by the Indian Express.

The Israeli Ambassador stated that it took about two days after PM Modi left to decide the attack on Iran. He added that they received the approval of the security cabinet on Saturday (February 28) morning.

Notably, Prime Minister Modi was in Israel for a two-day state visit on February 25 and 26. It was his second trip to the country following the 2017 visit that ended decades of diplomatic restraint between the two countries and developed the strategic relationship between India and Israel.

A day after PM Modi left Tel Aviv, Israel, on February 28, in a joint operation with the United States attacked Iran, targeting many cities, including the capital, Tehran. Over 700 people have been killed in the strikes so far in Iran.

Hours after the joint strikes, Iran, in retaliation, launched missiles – many of which hit Gulf regions including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Qatar, and Bahrain.

Since February 28, tensions in the Middle East have been escalating as Iran vowed to avenge the killing of its Supreme Leader Khamenei, and US President Donald Trump warned it was “too late" for Iran to seek talks to “escape a war".

Iran’s Supreme Leader Dead

Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, was killed in the joint US-Israel strikes on Tehran. Along with him, his daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter were also reportedly killed.

Khamenei’s wife, Mansoureh Khojasteh Bagherzadeh, also died after succumbing to wounds sustained during the strikes.

However, earlier in the morning, it was learnt that Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei, the son of Iran’s slain Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, is all set to succeed his father, who was killed in joint strikes by Israel and the United States.

News world 'Only After PM Modi Left': Israeli Envoy Details 'Operational Opportunity' Before Attacking Iran

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