Axios: The Operation to Strike Iran Delayed by a Week for Two Main Reasons

SadaNews - Axios reported that the United States and Israel were planning to launch a military strike against Iran a week before it was actually set to take place. However, the operation was delayed due to operational and intelligence considerations, primarily poor weather conditions and the need for broader military coordination between Washington and Tel Aviv.

According to the report, the delay gave President Donald Trump additional time to choose between a diplomatic path and military action, the two paths his administration had been pursuing in parallel for about two months. It also provided a final opportunity for the nuclear talks that took place in Geneva.

The site quoted American and Israeli officials saying that military planners in the United States and Israel were preparing to execute the strike just days after the end of a round of talks on February 17 without significant progress.

However, the green light was not given at that time, as the weather played a significant role, along with coordination considerations.

An American official stated that the recent period saw "intense back and forth," indicating that the weather factor was indeed present but was not the only reason. Meanwhile, an Israeli official confirmed that the American side played the crucial role in the decision to delay.

The report stated that the initial plan targeted Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and several senior leaders during regular meetings, including a weekly meeting held on Saturdays.

It was also alleged that two separate meetings were part of the target bank, focusing on how to deal with protests within Iran.

During the week of the delay, intelligence agencies grew increasingly concerned about the possibility of Khamenei moving to an underground shelter, while an Israeli intelligence official indicated that one of the aims of the delay was to convey the impression that no imminent strike was forthcoming to reassure the targeted leadership.

Alongside the military preparations, an additional round of talks took place, after which American envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Wittkoff returned with a final proposal stipulating a ten-year halt on Iranian uranium enrichment in exchange for providing Tehran with free nuclear fuel to meet its civilian needs, later allowing limited enrichment.

American officials confirmed that Washington was clear in hinting at the military option if the offer was rejected, stressing that the negotiations were not a ruse but a serious attempt to reach an agreement.

According to the report, Tehran rejected the proposal, prompting the envoys to inform Trump, who gave the green light for military action. The site quoted an American official stating that the military assets were already prepared, and the decision came after the diplomatic path failed.