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.

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.

Iran has vowed to retaliate for the killing of a senior Hamas leader in Tehran last week in an attack for which it has blamed Israel.