World · 28 February 2026
Did Israel Wait for Modi to Leave? PM’s Departure Preceded Iran Strikes by Hours
Voelbaarsanket via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Israel on February 25–26, with analysts noting his presence created a de facto 48-hour delay to any strike on Iran. Washington and Jerusalem were widely expected to avoid military action while a foreign head of state was on Israeli soil. Modi departed on February 26, and India had already issued advisories urging its citizens to leave Iran. Just 36 hours after Modi’s departure, the US and Israel launched Operation Shield of Judah on February 28.
Reported by Washington Examiner / Reuters · How we write briefs