U.S. restricts travel of diplomatic personnel in Israel out of concern for security.
Comes amid fears of Iranian retaliation for a strike blamed on Israel in Syria. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned that Israel "must and will be punished" US President Joe Biden pledged "unwavering" support for his close partner Israel. The White House said Thursday it had "warned" Iran, while Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke by telephone with his Chinese, Turkish and Saudi counterparts, calling on them to pressure Tehran against any attack targeting Israel. Russia and Germany, for their part, called for “restraint” to avoid an escalation in the Middle East where tensions have increased between Iran, Israel and their respective allies since the start of the war in Gaza. The United States and the international community have continued to fear a major expansion of the conflict between Israel and Palestinian Hamas. The Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz assured Iran that “If Iran carries out an attack from its territory, Israel will respond and attack Iran”