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Israel delivered a message to Iran on Friday ahead of its retaliatory airstrikes, cautioning against any response to the operation.
The strikes, carried out on Saturday morning and named Operation Days of Repentance, targeted Iranian military infrastructure across three waves, according to three sources familiar with the matter. The aim was to prevent further escalation between the two nations following a series of recent attacks.
The airstrikes came in response to Iran’s ballistic missile assault on October 1, which prompted Israel to target various military installations. The first wave of strikes focused on Iran’s air defense systems, while the subsequent waves aimed at missile and drone bases, as well as weapons production facilities.
Iran claimed that its military had managed to thwart the attacks, reporting only “limited damage” to military targets. Meanwhile, Israeli officials indicated that the operation was meant to deter further aggression.
Multiple sources disclosed that Israel’s warning to Iran was conveyed through several intermediaries. “The Israelis made it clear to the Iranians what they were going to target and what they were not,” one source said, highlighting the deliberate communication effort to minimize the risk of a broader conflict.
Two additional sources revealed that Israel specifically warned Iran not to retaliate, emphasizing that any response, particularly if it resulted in harm to Israeli civilians, would provoke a stronger Israeli counteraction.
The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office declined to comment on the matter. Iran, for its part, has maintained that it does not seek a full-scale war with Israel but would retaliate if attacked.
Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson, warned on Saturday that any escalation from Iran would prompt an Israeli response. The strikes were a calculated move to weaken Iran’s military capabilities and to send a message of deterrence, according to military analysts.
A senior U.S. official confirmed that while the United States did not participate in the Israeli operation, it stands ready to defend Israel should Iran retaliate.
“This should be the end of the direct military exchange between Israel and Iran,” the official said, adding that further aggression from Tehran would have consequences. U.S. officials noted that this message was communicated to Iran directly and indirectly.
Efforts to prevent further escalation are underway, with diplomacy playing a key role. Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldcamp was one of the intermediaries used to convey Israel’s warning to Iran.
He acknowledged in a social media post, “I spoke with the Iranian Foreign Minister about war and rising tensions in the region. I urged restraint from all parties to prevent escalation.”
The U.S. National Security Council emphasized the need for a de-escalation of tensions. Spokesperson Sean Savett stated, “It is our goal to accelerate diplomacy and reduce tensions in the Middle East. We urge Iran to halt its attacks on Israel to end this cycle of conflict without further escalation.”
While U.S. officials anticipate a potential Iranian response in the coming days, they believe it may be measured to avoid sparking an all-out conflict. Israel remains on alert as the situation unfolds.