Israel mulls response to Iran attack; U.S. says it won't take part in any counter-offensive

The threat of open warfare erupting between the arch Middle East foes and dragging in the United States has put the region on edge, triggering calls for restraint from global powers and Arab nations to avoid further escalation.

The U.S. will continue to help Israel defend itself but does not want war, John Kirby, the White House's top national security spokesperson, told ABC's This Week program on Sunday.

Jordan's King Abdullah told Biden in a phone call on Sunday that any further escalation from Israel would widen the conflict in the region, Jordanian state media reported.

Irwin Cotler, a retired Canadian politician and the country's first special envoy on combating antisemitism, says the 'community of democracies' needs to stand against Iran and the scope of its threats to global safety in the wake of its aerial assault on Israel.

The Israeli prime minister has for years advocated a hard military line against Iran, pushing the U.S. for tougher action over Tehran's nuclear program and its backing of Hezbollah, Hamas and other groups in the region.

"I think this is Iran sending a message attacks on its personnel will not be tolerated and there will be consequences, but I don't think they intend for this to be the start of a new war," retired U.S. Army colonel Peter Mansoor told CBC's Rosemary Barton Live on Sunday.