The United States Former National Security Advisor, John Bolton, said Iran's retaliatory operation on Saturday night was "a massive failure of Israeli and American deterrence".

In an interview with CNN, Bolton stated that regardless of the magnitude of damage caused by Iran's attack against occupied territories, the US and "Israel" should restore deterrence by a disproportionate and "far stronger" Israeli response. 

He claimed this would teach Iran that what it hopes to achieve from a future attack "would be far outweighed by the damage that would be caused" by "Israel's" response. 

Amid Operation True Promise, US officials announced that the US would help "Israel" intercept and deter Iranian drones. However, Israeli and American defenses failed as Iranian drones and ballistic missiles rushed to meet their targets on occupied territories. 

Israeli journalist Amir Bohbot considered that any future confrontation with Iran could end with "a barrage of drones and ballistic missiles," similar to those that targeted the occupied territories early Sunday, as "the dam (barrier) was breached and has collapsed."

مشاهد من سقوط الصواريخ الإيرانية على أهداف إسرائيلية في #فلسطين_المحتلة #الرد_الإيراني #طوفان_الاحرار pic.twitter.com/HTBGfuLitz

— قناة الميادين (@AlMayadeenNews) April 14, 2024

The IRGC, however, warned the US government that supporting or taking part in harming Iran's interests would result in a decisive and regrettable response by the Iranian Armed Forces.

US sums it up

While "Israel" remains conflicted about responding to Iran's operation, risking escalation and an additional response it cannot match, the US has already opposed any Israeli response and announced it would not take part in the event if it happens. 

White House spokesperson John Kirby revealed that the United States does not want to see more escalations in the Middle East, following the events of Iran's retaliatory operation against "Israel" on Sunday. 

"We're not looking for a wider war with Iran," he told NBC's Meet the Press. 

Joe Biden told Netanyahu that a diplomatic response would be taken, but that his country is not would not participate in an offensive operation against Iran. US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin relayed the same decision to Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. 

Read more: US, 'Israel' failed to stop Iran from attacking: INSS