Iran has reportedly issued a warning to the United States about its expected retaliation against Israel.
On Friday, Axios reported, “Iran sent a message to the Biden administration through several Arab countries earlier this week: if the U.S. gets involved in the fighting between Israel and Iran, U.S. forces in the region will be attacked, three U.S. officials told Axios.”
The warning comes as officials expect Iran to launch a retaliatory strike on Israel for killing a top Iranian general in Damascus.
Iran told the U.S. to stay out of fighting between Israel and Iran or face an attack on U.S. forces in the region.
— Axios (@axios) April 12, 2024
"The Iranian message was we will attack the forces that attack us, so don't f–k with us and we won't f–k with you," a U.S. official says. https://t.co/DEmDCyUTtf
Iran’s supreme leader has vowed there will be “punishment” for the strike.
However, Iranian officials have reportedly suggested through private channels the retaliation will be limited.
Axios notes, “Israel and the U.S. think an Iranian attack would include the launch of ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and attack drones from Iran to Israeli territory.”
The U.S. has also reportedly asked Israel to provide notifications before they respond to an attack.
Iranian officials have reportedly expressed their belief that the U.S. was involved in the strike that killed their general, despite official denials.
“The Iranian message was we will attack the forces that attack us, so don’t f***k with us and we won’t f***k with you,” one official told the outlet.