Washington: Shortly before Iran’s retaliatory strike on Israel on October 1, Washington asked Tehran not to attack US bases, Iraqi news portal Baghdadtoday reported, citing a source.
The US sent Tehran three urgent messages in 30 minutes via Iraq, the report said on Thursday.
“Washington was concerned that Iran or groups close to it could attack American bases. The United States took all precautions, preparing for any rapid development of events,” the source was quoted as saying by the news portal.
He reportedly noted that the US is closely monitoring the development of Iran’s missile potential and expresses particular concerns about hypersonic missiles, since the capabilities of the Patriot air defense system are limited.
On Tuesday, Iran launched several hundred ballistic missiles toward Israel in response to the killings of Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah, Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh, and senior IRGC commander Abbas Nilforoushan. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said that his government was not seeking a war with Israel but would confront any threat in a resolute manner.