Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasized Friday that the U.S. played no part in Israel's attack on Iran, and he urged calm between the two countries.
"We're committed to Israel's security," Blinken said at a press conference following the country's earlier reported drone attack near a military base and nuclear power plant close to the town of Isfahan. Damage in the attack, which triggered Iran's air defense, was not immediately known.
"We're also committed to de-escalating," he added in comments after the Group of Seven (G7) meeting of foreign ministers in Capri, Italy.
The U.S. informed the G7 foreign ministers on Friday that it received "last minute" information from Israel about the drone action in Iran, officials said, according to the Associated Press.
Israel has not yet publicly claimed responsibiity for the attack, which was widely viewed as retaliation for Iran's missile and drone assault on Israel last weekend. Blinken strongly condemned the earlier attack by Iran in his comments.
Blinken repeatedly refused to answer questions about Israel's earlier military operation in Iran.
"I'm not going to speak to that except to say that the United States has not been involved in any offensive operations," he said.
"What we're focused on, what the G7 is focused on, and again, it's reflected in our statement, and in our conversation, is our work to de-escalate tensions, to de-escalate from any potential conflicts," he added.
Iranian state TV played down the Israeli action, and officials have indicated there are no plans for an attack in turn. An Iranian official indicated to the Guardian that Iran may be leaning instead toward "infiltration."
Despite the latest attacks involving Iran and Israel, Blinken noted that the U.S. remains "intensely focused on Gaza" and stemming Israel's assaults there.
