The US believes that Israel’s response to Iran’s unprecedented attack early on Sunday morning will likely to be limited, and may focus on striking key targets outside of Iran in a bid to avoid a wider conflagration, US media reported Tuesday
Noting that the US’s assessment is based on conversations with Israeli officials prior to the attack and that Israel’s approach may since have shifted, four US officials told NBC that the lack of serious damage caused by Tehran may lead Jerusalem to seek a less aggressive response.
Instead of directly striking Iran in response — which Israel’s allies have warned runs the risk of sending the region spiraling into an all-out war — the officials told NBC that Israel may strike Iran’s proxies, such as its militias in Syria or the Hezbollah terror group in Lebanon.
The report added that the US expects Israel to provide updates regarding the decisions it makes, but does not intend to take part in any retaliatory reaction.