On February 23, 2020, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu conducted a confidential phone call with US President Donald Trump, just days before planned military operations in Iran. This call, which had not been publicly disclosed prior, brought to light crucial intelligence regarding a meeting of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and top advisors scheduled in Tehran. According to Axios, sources claim this information was pivotal in shaping subsequent actions in the Middle East.

Netanyahu's revelation about the Iranian leadership meeting meant that the US and Israel could potentially eliminate all key figures in a single airstrike, presenting a significant military opportunity. While Trump was already leaning towards attacking Iran, it was this intelligence that helped solidify his decision on timing. Prior discussions of a possible attack had occurred a week earlier, but they were postponed for various reasons, including adverse weather conditions.

The implications of this phone call were profound, as it suggested a more aggressive stance from the US and Israel regarding Iran, heightening tensions in the already volatile Middle Eastern landscape. Analysts speculate that such intelligence-sharing and collaboration between the two nations could lead to increased military engagements and a reevaluation of diplomatic approaches in the region, shifting the balance of power further.