The US and Israel planned a military strike following stalled negotiations with Iran, but bad weather and the need for better coordination postponed the attack.
According to sources, after the second round of US-Iran negotiations concluded on February 17 without any progress, military strategists from the US and Israel began preparations for a strike on February 21. However, the attack was postponed due to a lack of authorization and reports of adverse weather conditions in the region. Israeli officials noted that the delay was primarily linked to US actions and the necessity to improve coordination with Israeli defense forces regarding the operation.
The situation over the last two weeks had been described as very tense, especially following retaliatory strikes by Iran after the death of A. Khamenei, which targeted US military bases in Iraq and the Persian Gulf. An official from the Trump administration highlighted concerns regarding the implications of the weather conditions on the Israelis' strategic decisions and military options.
The postponement of the planned strike has opened the possibility for another round of negotiations scheduled for February 26 in Geneva. However, there seems to be a divergence of opinions about the true objective of this upcoming meeting, particularly whether the discussions are genuinely aimed at de-escalation or merely a diversion amidst escalating tensions in the region.
