### U.S. Officials Engage in Delicate Diplomacy Following Iranian Missile Attack

In the wake of Iran's missile strike on Tuesday, U.S. officials have been in multiple discussions with their Israeli counterparts, though they have not disclosed when or how Israel will respond. President Joe Biden addressed the issue, expressing his belief that an anticipated Israeli strike on Iran would not happen on Thursday.

Biden emphasized the advisory role of the U.S. in its relationship with Israel. "First of all, we don't 'allow' Israel, we advise Israel," he told reporters at the White House, strongly asserting that no significant actions were expected to occur that day.

During a press briefing, U.S. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller also refrained from sharing details regarding Israel's potential actions towards Iran or Lebanon. Israeli forces have continued operations in Lebanon, clashing with Hezbollah fighters, and bombarding civilian areas. "We are having ongoing conversations with them about the options they are considering, but I am going to keep everything about those conversations private," Miller stated.

In response to queries about the likelihood of Israel targeting nuclear sites in Iran, Miller echoed President Biden's stance. "We do not believe they should strike nuclear sites," he reiterated, without elaborating on any U.S. efforts to prevent such an action. The Biden administration has maintained a public commitment to avoiding further escalation in the region, especially with the U.S. presidential election just a month away, though it remains cautious about taking a highly assertive approach.

Behind the scenes, U.S. officials are reportedly working to "limit" Israel's response. The administration faces calls for stricter sanctions on Iran, even as some Republican members of Congress push for a more aggressive stance. Meanwhile, Iran, feeling betrayed by the international community after the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, has signaled that its patience is nearly exhausted.

The situation remains tense as Israel persists in its military campaign in Gaza, resulting in over 41,700 Palestinian deaths. The conflict has also spread to Lebanon, where more than 1,900 people, including Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, have been killed. On Thursday, Iran issued a stern warning via an intermediary that an Israeli attack would trigger an "unconventional response."

Iranian analyst Tohid Asadi emphasized that Iran is delivering a dual message: while not pursuing war, they are prepared to defend themselves. "The message clearly here from Tehran these days is that it's not going to be patient anymore because this patience has got a limit," he conveyed to Al Jazeera.

The ambiguity from U.S. officials is contributing to global concerns about a broader regional conflict. Iranian-American political analyst Negar Mortazavi noted that the current moment is critical for the U.S. "The U.S. is the adult in the room now. They can help deescalate this conflict," she wrote on social media, suggesting that Washington's actions will significantly influence Israel's next steps.