BBC: US stays out of Israel's military campaign against Iran

The United States has not taken part in Israel’s ongoing military operations against Iran, according to senior American officials.

Despite President Donald Trump instructing the National Security Council to convene, US media outlet CBS — a partner of the BBC — stated that this does not indicate any direct American involvement in the Israeli offensive, Caliber.Az reports.

Officials added that the National Security Council has remained on standby since Israel launched its strikes on Iranian territory last week.

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth stated earlier that the deployment of additional American military assets to the Middle East is intended to reinforce the country’s defensive posture in the region, rather than signal plans for offensive action.

On June 13, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Israel had taken “unilateral action” with its strikes on Iran and cautioned Tehran not to retaliate against American interests.

“We are not involved in strikes against Iran, and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region,” Rubio stated. “Let me be clear: Iran should not target U.S. interests or personnel.”

While Washington has sought to publicly distance itself from the Israeli operation, Iranian state media swiftly accused the US of being “complicit” in an attack that has “killed children”.

The Israeli offensive, named Operation Rising Lion, targeted nuclear and military sites, according to the Israel Defence Forces.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended the strikes as vital to counter Iran’s push to “weaponise” enriched uranium, calling the campaign essential to “Israel’s very survival”. He warned the strikes would “continue for as many days as it takes”.

By Aghakazim Guliyev