The sources said Blinken stressed that the U.S. believes Iran and Hezbollah will both retaliate.

However, unlike the Iranian attack against Israel on April 13, in which Iran launched nearly 350 attack drones and missiles toward Israel, Blinken said it's unclear what form the retaliation will take.

He said that the U.S. doesn't know the exact timing of the attacks but stressed it could start as early as the next 24-48 hours, the sources told Axios.

The US secretary of state told his counterparts in the G7 that the U.S. is making efforts to break the escalatory cycle by trying to limit the attacks by Iran and Hezbollah as much as possible and then restrain the Israeli response.

Sources also added that Blinken asked the other foreign ministers og the G7 to apply diplomatic pressure on Iran, Hezbollah, and Israel to maintain maximum restraint.

Meanwhile, the commander of U.S. Central Command, Gen. Michael Kurilla, is expected to arrive in Israel on Monday to finalize preparations with the Israeli army ahead of the possible attack by Iran and Hezbollah, Israeli officials told Axios.

G7 foreign ministers met by videoconference Sunday to discuss the Middle East and expressed "strong concern" over the threat of escalation, Italy's Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said.

"Together with our partners, we have expressed strong concern about recent events that threaten to determine a regionalization of the crisis, starting from Lebanon," said Tajani in a statement.

"We call on the parties involved to desist from any initiative that could hinder the path of dialogue and moderation and favour a new escalation," said the statement issued by the foreign ministry of Italy, which holds the G7 presidency this year.

The foreign ministers, it said, "reiterated the priority of a favorable conclusion of the negotiations on the ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages" while stepping up humanitarian assistance.

According to Axios, Blinken sounded frustrated at the meeting when he briefed the ministers on recent talks with Israel over a Gaza ceasefire deal.
Blinken said the administration felt it was "close to a breakthrough" before the assassination in Tehran. Now a deal is needed more than ever, Blinken added.