Biden administration asked Israel to receive an early update and hold consultations before any Israeli response to an Iranian attack, senior American and Israeli officials said. The Americans intend to assist Israel in intercepting Iranian missiles and UAVs, but are concerned that a sharp Israeli response will lead to an overall regional flare-up.
Iran conveyed messages to the Biden administration through several Arab countries that if the US intervenes in the conflict between Iran and Israel, its forces and bases in the region will be attacked, senior Israeli and U.S. officials say. The messages conveyed by the Iranians through the Swiss channel were more moderate than those conveyed through Arab countries, according to the officials. The Iranians consider the US responsible for the assassination of the Iranian general in Damascus, due to the support they provide to Israel and despite the American attempts to distance themselves from the incident, they say. According to the American intelligence community is that Iran will react against American bases and forces only in the event of a joint Israeli-American attack against it. The Iranian message was - we will attack the forces that attack us.