The seeds of Saturday’s joint US-Israel military operations in Iran were planted months earlier, during a December meeting between Benjamin Netanyahu and Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago, US officials have revealed.

Initially conceived as a follow-up to earlier strikes focused on Iran’s ballistic missile capabilities, the plan accelerated dramatically after Iran’s regime launched a violent crackdown on anti-government protests in January.

Diplomacy alongside military planning

On January 14, Trump reportedly considered immediate strikes but instead opted for a major military buildup across the Middle East. Behind the scenes, senior Israeli officials — including intelligence and defence chiefs — travelled to Washington to coordinate what later became Operations Epic Fury and Roaring Lion.

Simultaneously, diplomatic channels remained active. US envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff engaged Iranian representatives in Oman and later in Geneva in a last-ditch effort to secure a nuclear agreement.

According to US officials, Washington offered Iran indefinite civilian nuclear fuel in exchange for ending uranium enrichment. Iran allegedly refused and declined to discuss ballistic missile production or support for regional proxy groups.

Intelligence concerns and final decision

US officials claimed intelligence indicated Iran was rebuilding nuclear facilities allegedly damaged in earlier strikes and stockpiling enriched material at research sites.

Following inconclusive talks in Geneva, Kushner and Witkoff briefed Vice President JD Vance, reporting that the gaps remained wide. A senior official described the Iranian proposal as “stall tactics” aimed at buying time.

When Oman’s foreign minister reportedly attempted to intervene in Washington on Friday, Trump had already made his decision.

Coordinated strikes

On Saturday morning, as anticipated by US and Israeli planners, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei convened senior aides in Tehran. Within minutes, multiple coordinated strikes targeted separate high-level gatherings.

US and Israeli officials argue the operation was necessary after diplomacy failed. However, independent verification of the full account remains limited, and analysts caution that the strikes could further destabilise an already volatile region.

The unfolding crisis has heightened global tensions, with governments worldwide closely monitoring developments in West Asia.