Iran to give up attack on Israel, US officials say

Iran is reconsidering its plans to carry out a military attack on Israel, U.S. officials were quoted by the Politico news outlet on Thursday as saying, noting that such an action would risk a "direct confrontation" between the two countries.

The United States has used diplomatic channels and the support of its allies in the Middle East to pressure Iran, with two senior U.S. officials warning Tehran that a massive attack "would only inflame tensions and risk leading to a direct confrontation between the two countries."

According to Politico, the Biden administration and several European countries, including France, have also urged Iran to moderate its response following the assassination of Palestinian Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in the Iranian capital. Messages have been sent to Tehran through various intermediaries, stressing that while the explosion that killed Haniye is attributed to a covert Israeli operation, it did not in fact cause any Iranian casualties, and the Islamic Republic should therefore reconsider the military response it was considering.

The Hamas leader was killed on July 31 at a veterans' residence in northern Tehran after attending the inauguration of Iran's new president. Hamas, Iran and its allies blamed the attack on Israel and vowed to retaliate. Iranian media said Haniyeh was killed by an "air projectile," but the New York Times, citing five Middle Eastern officials speaking on condition of anonymity, said he was the victim of a bomb planted for two months in the residence where he had been staying, which had been protected by the Revolutionary Guards.

Washington ready to defend Israel

U.S. officials, speaking to the New York daily on condition of anonymity, said Tehran appeared increasingly aligned with Washington's view, although initially reluctant to admit the possibility.

National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said Wednesday he could not comment on specific intelligence assessments, but noted that the Biden administration “does not want to see an escalation.” “If there is, we will be prepared to defend Israel and defend ourselves if necessary,” he said.

Last week, Washington had seen signs of a possible Iranian attack on Israel and strengthened its military presence in the Middle East. At the same time, the American authorities are continuing their efforts to negotiate a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, despite a slowdown in the talks following the visit of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Washington.

According to Politico, recent meetings involving U.S., Israeli, Qatari and Egyptian officials, including CIA Director Bill Burns, have sought to iron out remaining differences. While no final decisions have been made, U.S. officials believe Netanyahu is now more motivated to move negotiations forward, following pressure from Israeli security services to end the war in Gaza and free Israeli hostages.

This article originally appeared in French in L'Orient-Le Jour.