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‘Operational Opportunity Came After PM Modi Left’: Israeli Envoy Reuven Azar Clarifies Timing of Israel–US Strike on Iran
Amid rising tensions in West Asia, Israel’s Ambassador to India Reuven Azar has addressed speculation surrounding the timing of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Israel and the military strikes later carried out by Israel and the United States against Iran.
Amid rising tensions in West Asia, Israel’s Ambassador to India Reuven Azar has addressed speculation surrounding the timing of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Israel and the military strikes later carried out by Israel and the United States against Iran.
Speaking during a press interaction in Delhi, Azar dismissed theories suggesting that the diplomatic visit and the military operation were connected. According to the Israeli envoy, the strike was approved only after the Indian Prime Minister had already left the region.
‘Situation Was Already Volatile’
Azar explained that regional tensions were already high even before Modi’s visit in late February.
“The situation in our region has been very volatile for some time. That was evident even before Prime Minister Modi arrived on February 25–26,” the ambassador said.
His remarks were aimed at providing context to the geopolitical situation during the high-level diplomatic visit.
Strike Decision Came Later
Addressing speculation about the timing of the military action, Azar made it clear that operational considerations—not diplomatic events—determined when the strike was launched.
“The operational opportunity came only after PM Modi left,” he said, rejecting claims that the visit and the operation were coordinated.
He further revealed that the formal approval for the operation was taken later.
“The cabinet decision to approve the operation happened only two days after,” Azar stated, emphasising that the military move was unrelated to the diplomatic schedule.
No Plans to Invade Iran
The Israeli ambassador also clarified that neither Israel nor the United States is planning to invade Iran.
Instead, he said the objective is to create conditions that allow Iranian citizens to push for internal political change.
“We want to give the Iranian people a situation in which they can put pressure for a change in policy or even a change of regime,” Azar explained.
According to him, such a shift could help create long-term stability across West Asia and benefit neighbouring Gulf countries as well as the broader international community.
Rising Regional Tensions
The latest remarks come at a time when tensions between Israel and Iran remain sharply elevated.
Israel has repeatedly accused Iran of developing destabilising capabilities through its missile programme and its support for armed groups across the region. Iran, however, maintains that its military programmes are purely defensive.
For years, the rivalry between the two countries has often played out through proxy conflicts, cyber operations and targeted strikes.
Azar said Israel’s broader goal remains a Middle East that is “freer from the serious threats that Iran has been planning to build.”
His comments highlight Israel’s stance that regional stability depends on addressing security concerns while leaving space for political change driven by the Iranian people themselves.
