WASHINGTON: U.S. officials have stated that Israel notified Iran about the specific targets it planned to attack, cautioning Tehran against retaliating in response to the strikes. According to National Iraqi News Agency, the officials disclosed that Israel communicated with Iran via third parties, clarifying which targets it intended to hit and those it aimed to avoid. This pre-emptive communication was part of a broader strategy to limit the scope of any potential military confrontation and to prevent further escalation between the two nations. Furthermore, the officials emphasized that Israel urged Iran to restrain its response to the attacks. They warned that any retaliation from Tehran could trigger a more forceful response from Israel. This exchange is seen as a calculated effort to manage the cycle of retaliatory strikes that have characterized past conflicts between the two countries. The officials also conveyed that they anticipate Iran's response to be measured, allowing Israel to conclude the ong oing cycle of mutual aggression without further escalation. This expectation is rooted in the belief that both nations are interested in avoiding a larger conflict that could destabilize the region.