Tensions between Israel and Iran appear to be in a holding pattern after Israel conducted military strikes in Iran in retaliation to unprecedented strikes less than a week ago.
The military strikes by Israel were conducted in Iran, a U.S. official told CNN, but Israeli officials remained mum on the strikes overnight. The outlet also reports that another U.S. official said they had received a warning about the strike but that the United States did not endorse it.
Several countries have reiterated calls for a de-escalation of tensions between Israel and Iran, with United Kingdom Prime Minister Rishi Sunak telling reporters on Friday that he believes “significant escalation is not in anyone’s interest.”
Iranian state media have said the country’s air defenses shot down three small drones over Isfahan, and there have been no injuries or damage, according to NBC News.
Reuters reports that Iran is not immediately planning on retaliating against the attack, while state media are also downplaying the strike and making little mention of Israel.
The reported military strikes by Israel come less than a week after Iran launched an unprecedented barrage of strikes toward Israel. Nearly all of Iran’s strikes were shot down by Israel’s defense systems.
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Since Iran’s attack last week, the U.S. and other countries have urged restraint in a bid to cool tensions in the Middle East, which have been running hot since Hamas’s terrorist attacks against Israel in October, sparking the war in Gaza.
The war in Gaza between Israel and Hamas is in its seventh month, with Israel having gone through most of Gaza but still holding on to its likely operation in Rafah, the final Hamas stronghold.
