India, March 3 -- What began as public frustration over stalled nuclear talks ended within hours in a sweeping US military assault that reshaped Iran's leadership and jolted global markets.

On February 27, President Donald Trump signaled impatience with indirect negotiations with Iran. By mid-afternoon, while flying to Texas aboard Air Force One, he had authorized "Operation Epic Fury," a multi-domain strike targeting the country's top leadership - including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

At 12:25 p.m. EST on Friday (Feb 27), Trump emerged from the White House en route to Texas and told reporters he was "not happy with the way" nuclear talks were progressing. Asked whether he had made a final decision, he replied, "No, I haven't...