Israel warned Iran before launching strikes on Tehran – Israel News

Israel sent a message to Iran on Friday before retaliatory airstrikeswarning the Iranians not to react, according to three sources familiar with the matter. The Israeli message was aimed at limiting the ongoing exchange of attacks between Israel and Iran and preventing a wider escalation, the sources said.

US and Israeli officials said there were three waves of airstrikes on Saturday morning local time, which were later called Operation “Days of Repentance”.

First wave are aimed at Iran’s air defense system, and the second and third are aimed at missile and drone bases, as well as weapons production facilities. Iran said it thwarted the Israeli attack, reporting only “limited damage” to military targets. Israeli officials said the strikes were in response to Iran’s Oct. 1 ballistic missile attack.

The Israeli message was conveyed to the Iranians through several third parties, the sources said. “The Israelis have made it clear to the Iranians what they are going to attack and what they are not going to attack,” one of the sources said. Two additional sources said Israel warned Iran not to respond, stressing that further Iranian retaliation would prompt a broader Israeli response, especially if Israeli civilians were harmed.

The Prime Minister’s Office declined to comment. Iran has said it is not seeking a full-scale war with Israel but will retaliate if attacked.

On Saturday, IDF spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari warned that any escalation by Iran would force Israel to respond. A US official said the US was not involved in the Israeli operation, but stressed that if Iran retaliates, the US stands ready to defend Israel. “This should end the direct military exchange between Israel and Iran,” the official said. “If Iran attacks Israel again, there will be consequences. We have communicated this directly and indirectly to Iran.”

No further escalation?

One of the channels used to convey the message to Iran was Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp, who wrote on X: “I spoke with the Iranian Foreign Minister about the war and rising tensions in the region. I called on all parties to exercise restraint to prevent escalation.”

US officials expect Iran to respond to the Israeli attack in the coming days, albeit in a controlled manner, which could allow Israel to avoid further conflict. “Our goal is to accelerate diplomacy and reduce tensions in the Middle East,” National Security Council spokesman Sean Savett said. “We call on Iran to stop attacks on Israel to end this cycle of conflict without further escalation.”