The decision on the timing of the war against Iran was made in a phone call between Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu two days before the launch of the operation, the JC understands.
The conversation between the US president and Israeli prime minister is said to have taken place on Thursday February 26.
While talks at addressing the nuclear programme of the Islamic Republic and other concerning issues were still ongoing, Trump and Netanyahu had already decided to embark upon the joint air operation in their private conversation, according to a source.
It is believed that the discussions between the two leaders may have been informed by intelligence briefings identifying the possible locations of the regime leadership. The information provided a possible opportunity to strike a decisive blow against Iran in the opening hours of the war.
Shortly after the launch of Operation Roaring Lion, on Saturday February 28, Ayatollah Khamenei and many other members of the highest echelon of the Islamic Republic lay dead after a strike on Tehran.
The private conversation said to have taken place between Trump and Netanyahu was a stark contrast with public statements made on the very same day.
US representatives and officials from Iran were still involved in talks in Geneva to resolve the question of Iran’s nuclear programme and ultimately stopping it creating a usable weapon.
On the day of the call, the foreign minister of Oman – involved as a Gulf ally of the US – said that there had been “significant progress” in the talks.
Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi – now one of the few high-level regime loyalists left alive – was also positive, saying there had been “good progress”.
At the time, the US had already assembled a vast armada in the Gulf region, including two aircraft carriers and a number of other warships, along with thousands of troops and fighter jets ready to be sent into action.
The enormous military presence had fed widespread speculation that America was about to launch a war alongside Israel, although some commentators believed the situation was part of an ambiguous position set up by Trump to enable his team to negotiate from a position of strength.
US office and the office of the prime minister were approached for comment.
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