Iran’s ambassador to Syria, Hossein Akbari, reported that a strike hit a consular building in the embassy compound, with his residence situated on the top two floors. This incident occurred amid rising tensions between Israel and Iran.
In a significant escalation, an alleged Israeli airstrike targeted and demolished Iran’s consulate building in Syria on Monday. The attack resulted in the tragic deaths of two Iranian generals and five other officers. Israel has not officially commented on the strike; however, its military spokesperson attributed a drone strike in southern Israel on the same day to Iran.
Here are some key points regarding the escalating tensions between Israel and Iran:
1. Suspected Israeli warplanes reportedly bombed Iran’s embassy in Syria on Monday, resulting in the deaths of three senior commanders. The attack took place in the Mezzeh district of Damascus.
2. Syria’s foreign minister Faisal Mekdad strongly condemned the bombing, labeling it as an “atrocious terrorist attack” that targeted the Iranian consulate building in Damascus.
3. Iran’s ambassador to Syria, Hossein Akbari, confirmed that the strike hit a consular building in the embassy compound where his residence was located on the top two floors. He was unharmed in the attack. Among those killed was Mohammad Reza Zahedi, a senior commander in Iran’s Quds Force, which is an elite foreign espionage and paramilitary arm. This attack marked the first time Israel targeted Iran’s embassy in Syria.
4. Israel has refrained from commenting officially on the incident. However, according to the New York Times, four unnamed Israeli officials acknowledged Israel’s role in the attack.
5. Iran’s UN mission strongly condemned the attack, labeling it a “flagrant violation of the United Nations Charter, international law, and the foundational principle of the inviolability of diplomatic and consular premises.” Iran reserved the right to take decisive action in response.
6. Hezbollah, a Lebanese group considered Iran’s most powerful armed proxy in the region, vowed retaliation for the attack. The group stated, “This crime will not pass without the enemy receiving punishment and revenge.” Several Muslim nations, including Iraq, Jordan, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Russia, also condemned the attack.
7. The individuals who tragically lost their lives in the attack included Haji Rahimi, a coordinator for the Quds Force, along with Hossein Aman Elahi, Mehdi Jalalati, Mohsen Sedaghat, Ali Aghababaee, and Ali Salehi Roozbahani. Iran reported that F-35 warplanes were used in the attack.
8. Israel’s military spokesperson, Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, stated that the targeted building was not a consulate or embassy but a military structure of the Quds forces disguised as a civilian facility. He also mentioned a drone attack on a naval base in southern Israel on the same day, which he claimed was directed by Iran.
9. Analysts believe Iran may retaliate in response to the attack. Steven Cook, an analyst at the Council on Foreign Relations, suggested that Iran could direct Hezbollah to escalate attacks on Israel and loosen restraints on proxies in Iraq and Syria.
10. Israel has been engaged in a prolonged conflict in Gaza since October 7, following an attack by Hamas that resulted in significant casualties. The retaliatory campaign by Israel has led to further casualties, with thousands of Palestinians reportedly killed. Amidst this conflict, several militant groups allegedly backed by Iran have targeted Israel.
Additionally, in a separate incident related to Gaza, several individuals working for the US-based charity World Central Kitchen were killed in an Israeli strike on the Gaza Strip. World Central Kitchen founder, chef Jose Andres, expressed heartbreak over the loss of their team members. The incident involved the deaths of foreign aid workers, including individuals of British, Australian, and Polish nationalities, along with a Palestinian driver and translator. The Israeli military stated that it was conducting a thorough review of the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident.
These events have further heightened tensions in the region, with concerns about potential further escalation and the humanitarian impact of the conflicts in Gaza.
