U.S. and Israel delayed original Iran strike by a week, officials say

"After the second round of U.S.-Iran talks ended without significant progress on Feb. 17, U.S. and Israeli military planners were preparing to launch strikes four days later - on Saturday, Feb. 21. But the go-ahead never came. U.S. and Israeli officials said one key reason was bad weather in the region. A second Israeli official said the delay was driven primarily by the U.S. side and was related to the need for better coordination with the Israel Defense Forces."

"The opening strike was designed to hit Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and his sons, as well as several gatherings of senior Iranian officials - including a routine meeting held every Saturday, according to a senior Israeli official. Israeli ambassador to the U.S. Yechiel Leiter claimed two separate meetings were targeted, both focused on potential responses to the protest wave sweeping Iran."

"In the week between the original and updated strike dates, Israeli and U.S. intelligence officials grew increasingly nervous that Khamenei would move from his residence to an underground bunker. The U.S. and Israel wanted to 'signal that there was no imminent strike, so that Khamenei and the others would feel safe,' one Israeli intelligence official said."

U.S. and Israeli military planners prepared to launch strikes against Iran on February 21, following unsuccessful nuclear talks on February 17. The operation targeted Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, his sons, and senior Iranian officials gathered for routine meetings. The strike was postponed due to multiple factors: adverse weather conditions in the region, coordination requirements between U.S. and Israeli Defense Forces, and intelligence concerns that Khamenei might relocate to an underground bunker. U.S. and Israeli officials employed strategic deception to signal no imminent strike, keeping Khamenei above ground. The delay ultimately provided Iran with a final opportunity to reach a nuclear agreement during subsequent Geneva negotiations.

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