Two American Officials Warn Iran Not to Respond to Israel's November 5 Attack

Two senior American officials urged the Islamic Republic to refrain from responding to Israel's November 5 attack on Iranian territory. This reaction coincided with a CNN report citing a 'high-ranking source' stating that the Islamic Republic of Iran would deliver a 'decisive and painful' response to Israel's recent operations against Iran. Concurrently, the commander of CENTCOM traveled to Tel Aviv for coordination with Israel regarding upcoming regional developments and the possibility of a third direct Iranian attack on Israel. An Israeli official also told his country's media that any further Iranian attack would face a 'severely painful' response. On Wednesday, November 9, spokespeople for the White House and the U.S. State Department separately responded to CNN's report, stating that Washington urges Iran to refrain from responding to Israel's attack and that, in any case, the U.S. stands by Israel and supports the country. Karine Jean-Pierre, White House spokesperson, stated that Iran should not respond to Israel's attack and that the U.S. is ready to assist Israel in defending itself. Matthew Miller, spokesperson for the State Department, emphasized the need for Iran to refrain from attacking Israel again, stating: 'Iran knows this message very clearly that it should not continue to escalate the conflict.' CNN reported on Wednesday night, without naming or identifying the nationality of a 'high-ranking source,' that Iran's response to Israel's operations would be 'decisive and painful.' This source added that the Iranian attack would likely occur before the U.S. presidential election, which is scheduled for Tuesday, November 15. The Biden administration has emphasized the need to accelerate diplomacy and de-escalation in the region following Israel's attack on Iran and has urged Iran to stop retaliatory attacks on Israel to end this cycle of war without further escalation. According to CNN, while Tehran initially attempted to downplay the significance of Israel's attack, it appears to have changed its position and is now focused on the necessity of a renewed attack on Israel. It is unclear how Iran will be able to prevent further Israeli airstrikes against itself if reports from American and Israeli media regarding severe damage to Iran's air defense capabilities during Israel's operations are accurate. Ali Khamenei, the leader of the Islamic Republic and commander-in-chief of the armed forces, stated on November 6 in his first reaction to the event that he would delegate the response to government officials. According to Iranian media, he attributed responsibility to the Supreme National Security Council of the Islamic Republic, many members of which are appointed by him. Nevertheless, Khamenei called for demonstrating his government's 'capabilities' to Israel. Reuters, Associated Press, Wall Street Journal, and New York Times have recently reported damage to various sites, including the IRGC missile base in Shahroud, Semnan province, and sites in Parchin and Khajir around Tehran, as well as targets in Ilam and Khuzestan, detailing the damage based on satellite images. The Israeli attack, dubbed 'Days of Response,' reportedly resulted in the deaths of four of its forces, while Tehran media referred to the death of a civilian, who was apparently a guard at a drone parts manufacturing facility in Shamsabad on the outskirts of Tehran, as a 'martyr.' In the meantime, Israeli media reported on Wednesday night, citing a 'high-ranking source' from the country, that any further attack by the Islamic Republic of Iran on Israel would face a harsher response. This source stated that operations would be carried out with 'greater maturity.' The Israeli army stated on November 5 that the operation against Iran was a response to the firing of approximately 181 ballistic missiles from Iran towards Israel on October 1, and if Iran continues on the path of 'escalation,' more targets from the 'target bank' that the Israeli army has on Iran will be selected for the next operations. Herzi Halevi, the chief of staff of the Israeli army, stated on Tuesday among the pilots of Ramon Air Base, who participated in the attack on Iran, that if 'Iran continues its errors,' his country would employ capabilities that were not used in the November 5 operation. He mentioned that they had refrained from targeting certain objectives that could be severely attacked in the next operation, adding, 'We are still in the middle of the road.' Israeli media reported that General Michael Erik Kurilla, the commander of CENTCOM, traveled to Tel Aviv for coordination with Israel in defending the country in case of further military developments in the region. The CENTCOM commander had discussions with senior military officials in Israel during the days when Israel was preparing its operations in response to Iran's missile attack. CENTCOM also sent a squadron of its fighter jets, which are usually stationed in Germany, to Israel one day before the Israeli operation. According to Channel Kan, these American squadrons and the American 'THAAD' air defense system remain stationed in Israel to assist the country in case of any further potential attacks from Iran.