The US believes Iran should not retaliate against Israel's actions.
The White House argues that Iran should not retaliate against Israel's retaliatory attack last weekend.
According to CNN, White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters on October 30 (Washington time) that Iran should not retaliate against Israel's attacks on its territory over the weekend.
Responding to a question from CNN after the network reported that recent Israeli airstrikes would face a “decisive and painful” response possibly before the US presidential election, Jean-Pierre said: “Iran should not retaliate against Israel,” adding that “however, if Iran decides to retaliate, the United States will always be ready to support Israel in defending itself.”
Meanwhile, U.S. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller declined to comment on what Iran "may or may not do," but reiterated that the U.S. believes "they should not retaliate."
Miller did not say whether Israel had notified the U.S. of its intention to retaliate before November 5.
“I will not comment on communications between our two governments, whether real or imagined. But as we have made public, and I can tell you that Iran knows this message well, they should not continue to escalate this conflict,” Miller said at a press conference on October 30.
Regarding the conflict between Israel and Lebanon, spokesman Miller said the U.S. is working to ensure a "diplomatic solution with all parties involved."
"We haven't reached that goal yet, but we are working towards it," Miller said at a press conference.
The diplomat declined to comment on reports from CNN and various other sources that Israeli, US, and Lebanese officials are pursuing a short-term ceasefire aimed at ending fighting between Israel and Hezbollah for at least a month.
Miller also stated that they were not calling for a ceasefire “right now,” but “wanted to reach a point where there was a ceasefire and a diplomatic solution.”
“Ultimately, we want to see a ceasefire. We want to see a diplomatic solution that allows civilians, both in Lebanon and Israel, to return to their homes,” Miller said, noting that White House officials are traveling to Israel to discuss this and other issues.
"One of the issues they will discuss is how we can find a diplomatic solution that fully implements UN Security Council Resolution 1701, something we haven't seen in the last few years," a US State Department spokesperson said.
