The United States has urged Israel to cease its direct exchange of fire with Iran, while warning the latter of “consequences” if it responds to the Israeli strikes. A senior White House official stated that the administration believes Israel’s operation should “close out” the direct military exchange between the two countries, citing agreement from other allies. The official noted that the Israeli operation was “extensive, targeted, and precise,” and emphasized that the US had no involvement in the strike.
Israel launched a series of airstrikes on Iran early on Saturday, in response to a barrage of ballistic missiles fired by Iran against Israel earlier this month. The strikes targeted military sites, including missile manufacturing facilities, surface-to-air missile sites, and “additional Iranian aerial capabilities.” The Israeli military stated that its goal was to disrupt Iran’s ability to fire missiles at Israel, and to respond to the ongoing attacks from the Islamic Republic.
Iranian officials downplayed the severity of the attacks, claiming that the strikes caused only “limited damage” and that their air defense systems had shot down some of the missiles. However, the Iranian capital of Tehran was rocked by explosions, and the country closed its airspace early Saturday. The Israeli military had announced its intention to respond to Iran’s aggression, and warned that if Iran were to launch another round of escalation, it would be obligated to respond.
Israel’s Overnight Strikes on Iran Spark Diplomatic Tensions (Image via Getty)
The situation has caused diplomatic tensions between the US and Iran, with the US urging Iran to refrain from responding to the Israeli strikes. The US Secretary of Defense, Lloyd J. Austin, spoke with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant to receive updates on the situation and reaffirmed the US commitment to Israel’s security and right to self-defense. The US President, Joe Biden, was also updated on the situation by his national security advisor, Jake Sullivan.
As the situation unfolds, the US is seeking to maintain its diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the situation. The administration is working closely with Israel and other allies to address the threat posed by Iran’s aggressive actions. The US is also urging Iran to engage in diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis peacefully, and to refrain from escalating the situation further.
In the meantime, the situation remains volatile, with Iran and Israel engaged in a heightened state of alert. The US is working to prevent further escalation, while also supporting Israel’s right to defend itself against Iranian aggression. The situation highlights the ongoing tensions between Israel and Iran, and the need for diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis peacefully.
