Middle East Steps Back From Brink of Larger War

Israel indicated it is prepared to escalate no further if Iran does the same.

Part of the city skyline is pictured at dawn after several explosions were heard in Tehran, Iran, on Oct. 26, 2024. Atta Kenare/AFP via Getty Images

With Israel’s retaliatory attack on Iran finished, the Middle East appears to be drawing back—for now—from the brink of a wider war.

Complying with pressure from President Joe Biden to avoid hitting Iran’s nuclear facilities or energy-producing installations, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) focused on military sites such as air defense, missile and drone production, and launch sites early on Oct. 26.