In a Friday morning press briefing, National Security Council Communications Advisor John Kirby assured reporters that the White House is well aware of Iran's readiness to take action if they choose to do so. Amidst the critical high-level ceasefire negotiations set to commence in Cairo on Sunday, the White House is not taking for granted Iran's decision not to launch an attack on Israel, Kirby emphasized.

Kirby declined to provide specific details regarding the nature of Iran's readiness or the intelligence behind it, but stressed the importance of being prepared. "We have bolstered our military capabilities in the region, and we're watching it every single day," he stated. The administration remains "laser-focused" on both ensuring the protection of United States assets and Israel while simultaneously pursuing a successful resolution through the upcoming negotiations.

Meanwhile, Iran's newly appointed Foreign Minister, Abbas Araqchi, conveyed to his French and British counterparts in separate telephone conversations on Friday that his country had the right to retaliate against Israel for the recent assassination of a Hamas official in Tehran. According to the official IRNA news agency, Araqchi labeled the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh on July 31 as an "unforgivable violation of Iran's security and sovereignty," citing it as grounds for Iran's right to respond. Israel, however, has neither confirmed nor denied its involvement in Haniyeh's death.

The French Minister of State for European Affairs, Stephane Sejourne, and the British Member of Parliament, David Lammy, both reached out to Araqchi to congratulate him on his new role as Iran's foreign minister earlier this week.

Fast-approaching ceasefire negotiations in Cairo now hold the crucial task of diffusing the escalating tensions between Iran and Israel. The White House, fully aware of the readiness of Iran and committed to the protection of both US assets and Israel, remains focused on achieving a peaceful resolution amidst the heightened unease in the region.