The Blubber

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.


Iran conveyed a message to the Biden administration through several Arab nations earlier this week: if the U.S. intervenes in the conflict between Israel and Iran, American forces in the region will be targeted, according to three U.S. officials speaking to Axios.

The context: The U.S. and Israel are bracing for potential retaliation from Iran following an airstrike that killed a senior Iranian general in Damascus last week.

While the Iranian supreme leader has threatened "punishment" for Israel, Iran has indicated through back channels that any response would be limited.
Both Israel and the U.S. anticipate an Iranian retaliation involving ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and attack drones launched from Iran toward Israeli territory.
U.S. officials say the Biden administration has requested Israel to notify the U.S. and consult before taking any retaliatory actions.

The latest: A U.S. defense official informed Axios that additional assets are being deployed to the region to strengthen regional deterrence and enhance force protection for U.S. forces.

Behind the scenes: According to three U.S. officials, Iran has informed several Arab governments in recent days that they hold the U.S. accountable for the Israeli strike that killed the Iranian general in Damascus, despite U.S. assertions of non-involvement.

The U.S. maintains it had no role in the strike, as per a senior U.S. official.
Iran's message indicated that in the event of U.S. involvement following an Iranian attack on Israel, American bases in the region would be targeted.
"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 U.S. official stated.