Israel sent a message to Iran on Friday ahead of the retaliatory airstrikes, warning the Iranians not to respond, according to three sources familiar with the matter. The Israeli message aimed to limit the continued exchange of attacks between Israel and Iran and prevent a broader escalation, sources said.

US and Israeli officials said three waves of airstrikes, later dubbed Operation Days of Repentance, took place on Saturday morning local time.

The first wave targeted Iran’s air defense system, while the second and third targeted missile and drone bases and weapons production sites. Iran claimed it had thwarted the Israeli attack, reporting only “limited damage” to military targets. Israeli officials stated that the attacks were in retaliation for Iran’s ballistic missile attack on October 1.

The Israeli message was conveyed to the Iranians through several third parties, sources said. “The Israelis made it clear to the Iranians what they were going to focus on and what not,” one source said. Two additional sources said Israel warned Iran not to respond, emphasizing that further retaliation from Iran would provoke a greater Israeli response, especially if Israeli civilians were harmed.

The Prime Minister’s Office declined to comment. Iran has stated that it does not seek full-scale war with Israel but will retaliate if attacked.

On Saturday, IDF spokesman Deputy Adm. Daniel Hagari warned that any escalation from Iran would force Israel to respond. A US official stated that the US did not participate in the Israeli operation, but emphasized that if Iran retaliates, the US is prepared to defend Israel. “This should be the end of direct military exchanges between Israel and Iran,” the official said. “If Iran attacks Israel again, there will be consequences. We communicated this directly and indirectly to Iran.”

No further escalation?

One channel used to deliver the message to Iran was Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldcamp, who wrote on I have urged 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, allowing Israel to avoid further conflict. “Our goal is to accelerate diplomacy and reduce tensions in the Middle East,” said National Security Council spokesman Sean Savett. “We urge Iran to stop its attacks on Israel to end this cycle of conflict without further escalation.”

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