Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu at the end of his visit to Israel on February 26, 2026. Photo: X/@MEAINDIA
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said on Friday (March 6, 2026) that Prime Minister Narendra Modi could not have been informed about Israeli attacks against Iran during his recent visit to the country because the decision on military action was made after he completed the trip.
Mr. Modi undertook a two-day visit to Israel that ended on February 26. Two days later, Israel and the US launched a joint military offensive against Iran that killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Mr. Sa’ar, who participated virtually in the Raisina dialogue, said Israel had “great relations” with Modi and India that had deepened over the years.
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“But we could not inform PM Modi about it as the decision was taken only early Saturday morning,” he said.
The decision to launch the attack was taken as negotiations between the US and Iran collapsed, he said.
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Israel’s military action against Iran is aimed at eliminating “existential threats” emanating from Iran, he said.
Sa’ar said Iran is continuing its nuclear program, developing ballistic missiles and supporting Hezbollah, Hamas and the Houthis.
“We will probably have to see regime change in Iran,” he said.
Published – March 7, 2026 10:43 AM IST
