A senior official in President Joe Biden's administration stated that Israel's targeted retaliatory strike on Iran is expected to be the back-and-forth, direct military action between the two countries, NBC News reports.

"This should be the end of the direct military exchange between Israel and Iran," said the U.S. official, emphasizing that this position reflects a "very strong view" held by the U.S. government and has been communicated to its partners throughout the region.

According to the official, Biden and his security team "worked with the Israelis over recent weeks to encourage Israel to conduct a response that was targeted and proportional with low risk of civilian harm and that is precisely what transpired this evening."

In a call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last week, Biden said any attack should be designed to deter further attacks against Israel and reduce the risk of further escalation, the official said.

"We do not want to see that happen," the officials noted, referring to the potential for Iranian retaliation.

The source clarified that the United States was not directly involved in the Israeli strikes, which were conducted "in multiple waves." However, the official asserted that if Iran were to launch a direct attack on Israel, the United States stands ready to support its ally, stating, “should Iran chose to respond we are fully prepared to once again defend against any attack."