Iran tries to avoid war with U.S.

After Iran-aligned militants killed three American soldiers, Iran’s leaders sensed a line was crossed, and are sending more conciliatory signals while awaiting President Biden’s promised response.

Iran’s Supreme National Security Council held an emergency meeting this week, deeply worried that the United States would retaliate after an Iran-aligned militia in Iraq killed three American soldiers and wounded more than 40 others in Jordan.

Mr. Khamenei has told those close to him that he opposes war with the United States because preserving the Islamic regime's hold on power is the highest priority, and war would divert the world's attention from the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, according to a person affiliated with his circle and a military.