‘We Received a Clear Message’: U.S. Said to Warn Israel Not to Join Strikes on Iran

The United States has made clear to Israel that any strikes on Iran, in response to the downing of a helicopter and in an effort to advance negotiations, will be carried out by the Americans alone. A senior Israeli official told Kan News, “We received a clear message not to interfere. The Americans want the current conflict not to spread to additional countries in the Middle East, since they have not yet given up on the negotiations and believe this is the way to make the Iranians give up the nuclear program.”

Meanwhile, the IDF is preparing for the possibility that the Americans will give a future “green light” and, in effect, return to the framework of Operation “Roar of the Lion.” Alertness in Israel is at the highest level as part of preparations for a U.S. strike in Iran tonight and out of concern over an Iranian response toward Israel and countries in the region.

At the same time, Channel 13 reported that in discussions held in Israel in recent days, assessments were raised that if an agreement between the United States and Iran is not reached soon, the chances of a renewed all-out war in the coming weeks will rise significantly.

Kan News also reported that one country in the region prevented Israel from using its airspace during the Air Force’s airstrikes this week. The move came as a surprise to senior Israeli officials, who had believed that, as in previous confrontations with Iran, there would be cooperation between the countries. According to a source familiar with the matter, the decision was made at a high level in that country, and was seen in Israel as a clear political message.