While the American military is rallying allies to yet again help defend Israel against an expected Iranian attack, top American officials are simultaneously pressing partners to push Iran to not carry out a strike – or coordinated strikes with its proxy groups – and asking Israel for restraint to prevent a widespread war in the region.

Signs increasingly point to an attack by Iran on Israel, according to U.S. officials. But the timing remains unclear.

The United States has communicated to Iran and Israel that conflict in the Middle East must not escalate, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Tuesday, amid fears Tehran and its proxies are preparing to launch retaliatory strikes on Israel.

Lebanon's armed group Hezbollah launched a series of drone and rocket attacks into northern Israel on Tuesday but warned that its much-anticipated retaliation for Israel's killing of a top commander last week was yet to come.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discussed preparations for counterstrikes with his security cabinet. Hamas and Iran blame Israel for the killing of a Hamas leader.