Israeli envoy says Iran strikes an 'operational opportunity' after PM Modi left Tel Aviv

PM Modi was in Israel for a two-day state visit on February 25 and 26

• US and Israel struck Iran after Modi's visit to Tel Aviv
• Israel says no military action was planned during Modi's visit
• Iran retaliated with missile strikes across the Gulf region

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The recent joint US–Israeli strikes on Iran were carried out during what Israeli officials described as an “operational opportunity” that emerged only after Prime Minister Narendra Modi concluded his visit to Tel Aviv, according to Indian Express.

Israel’s Ambassador to India, Reuven Azar, told IE that there was no prior indication during PM Modi’s visit that military action against Tehran was imminent.

“It was an operational opportunity that came up only after Prime Minister Narendra Modi left. During the conversations with him, we discussed regional developments, but we could not have shared something we did not yet know,” he said.

Azar added that it took roughly two days after PM Modi’s departure for the decision to take shape, with final approval from Israel’s security cabinet granted on February 28 morning.

The United States and Israel carried out a joint military operation against Iran, striking multiple cities, including the capital, Tehran. The operation — dubbed Operation Epic Fury — followed stalled nuclear negotiations and allegations that Tehran had resumed elements of its nuclear programme.

Within hours of the attacks, Iran retaliated with missile launches, several of which reportedly struck parts of the Gulf region, including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Qatar and Bahrain. Regional tensions escalated further as Tehran vowed to avenge the killing of its Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, while US President Donald Trump warned that it was “too late” for Iran to seek negotiations to “escape a war.”

Azar told IE that his country had invested heavily over the years in building intelligence and military capabilities focused on Iran. “We had to create the intelligence capability to understand the Iranian regime and its military machinery — to know what they intend to do next, who is making decisions, where they are located, and the capabilities that threaten Israel,” he said.

Azar added that Israel had spent billions of dollars to develop the technologies required to penetrate Iran’s air defence systems and strengthen its own defensive shield against missile and rocket barrages — not only from Iran but also from Tehran-backed proxy groups operating in the region.

PM Modi was on a two-day visit to Israel during which the two nations elevated their "time-tested" relationship to a special strategic partnership and agreed to fast-track a long-awaited free trade deal.