"We urge Iran to cease its attacks on Israel so that this cycle of fighting can end without further escalation," AFP reported US National Security Council spokesman Sean Savett as telling reporters.

"Their response was an exercise in self-defense and specifically avoided populated areas and focused solely on military targets," he claimed in his address to media.

Stressing that the United States did not participate in the operation, he said "it is our aim to accelerate diplomacy and de-escalate tensions in the Middle East region," AFP reported him as saying.

Iran’s military said early Saturday that the strikes on the country targeted military bases in Ilam, Khuzestan and Tehran provinces, causing “limited damage,” AP reported.

A senior US administration official said President Joe Biden and his national security team have worked with the "Israelis over recent weeks to encourage Israel to conduct a response that was targeted and proportional with low risk of civilian harm," according to AFP.

"And that appears to have been precisely what transpired this evening," AFP reported the official as telling reporters.

According to AFP, Biden had encouraged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "to design a response that served to deter further attacks against Israel while reducing risks of further escalation, and that is our objective".

According to Axios, Israel had urged Iran through third parties to limit the exchange of attacks and prevent a broader escalation.

Teheran has said it doesn't want a full-blown war with Israel but that it would retaliate if attacked.

Citing US officials, Axios reported them as saying that they expect Teheran to respond in a limited manner that allows Israel to stop the cycle of mutual retaliation.

The outlet citing informed sources, said Israel had urged Iran through third parties to limit the exchange of attacks and prevent a broader escalation.