Commander-in-Chief of the Iranian Army Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi, right, and Armed Forces Chief of Staff Major General Mohammad Bagheri, center, at an underground military air base in an undisclosed location. AFP
The outlet citing informed sources, said Israel had urged Iran through third parties to limit the exchange of attacks and prevent a broader escalation.
One of the channels for conveying messages to Iran ahead of the Israeli strike was Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldcamp, one source told Axios.
"I spoke with the Iranian Foreign Minister about war and the heightened tensions in the region. Regarding the latter, I urged for restraint. All parties must work to prevent further escalation," Veldcamp wrote on X several hours before the Israeli attack.
Iran said it defeated the Israeli attack and that only "limited damage" was done to military targets.
Teheran has said it doesn't want a full-blown war with Israel but that it would retaliate if attacked.
Tel Aviv said that it would launch another, more powerful attack if Tehran responded, according to Axios.
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.
"It is our aim to accelerate diplomacy and de-escalate tensions in the Middle East region. We urge Iran to cease its attacks on Israel so that this cycle of fighting can end without further escalation," National Security Council spokesperson Sean Savett said.
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