The United States, along with some of its allies, particularly Israel, was at a level convinced that Tehran had set out to develop a nuclear weapons programme. Russia and China, technically allies for Iran, but not wanting a nuclearised West Asia, were also left stumped. Mr. Trump had long advocated that the JCPOA was farcical and negotiated in a way which did not secure American interests. However, a few months following the attacks, Mr. Trump is now chasing a deal through diplomacy, in a very similar manner as Mr. Obama did and succeeded, albeit not a perfect one. But with Mr. Trump, it was an opportunity as the Israeli leader managed to market his state’s celebrated intelligence apparatus’s assessment that Iran was racing towards nuclear weapons.

Source: The Hindu February 20, 2026 11:13 UTC