Iran warned that any direct U.S. support for Israel could trigger an immediate Iranian response. Its UN ambassador in Geneva stated that if Tehran determines the U.S. is involved in attacks on Iran, it will begin retaliating against American targets.

Oman and Qatar were leading efforts to begin ceasefire talks, while mediators said Iran was open to resuming nuclear negotiations if Israel’s attacks stop.

Shapiro served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Middle East until January—charged with, among other things, considering scenarios in which tensions between Israel and Iran escalated into all-out war and preparing U.