Suspected Israeli warplanes conducted airstrikes on Iran’s embassy in Syria on Monday, resulting in casualties. Iran reported that seven of its military advisers, including three senior commanders, were killed in the strike, marking a significant escalation in Israel’s conflict with its regional adversaries.
Reuters reporters at the scene in the Mezzeh district of Damascus observed emergency workers navigating through rubble from a destroyed building within the diplomatic compound, which was adjacent to the main Iranian embassy building.
Outside, emergency vehicles were stationed, and an Iranian flag hung from a pole amidst the debris.
Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad, accompanied by Syria’s interior minister, denounced the “atrocious terrorist attack” targeting the Iranian consulate building in Damascus, which resulted in the loss of innocent lives.
Iran’s ambassador to Syria stated that the strike hit a consular building within the embassy compound, with his residence occupying the top two floors.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps of Iran confirmed that seven Iranian military advisers, including Mohammad Reza Zahedi, a senior commander in its Quds Force, were among those killed in the strike.
Israel has frequently targeted Iran’s military installations in Syria and those of its proxies. However, Monday’s attack marked the first time Israel struck the extensive embassy compound itself.
These strikes have intensified alongside Israel’s campaign against the Iran-backed Palestinian group Hamas.
The conflict escalated after Hamas launched an attack on Israel on October 7, resulting in casualties and hostages, according to Israeli reports.
According to Palestinian health authorities, over 32,000 Palestinians have lost their lives in Israel’s offensive in Gaza.
Israel’s military has intensified airstrikes in Syria, targeting Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and the Iranian-backed Lebanese armed group Hezbollah, both of which support Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
When asked about the strike, an Israeli military spokesperson stated, “We do not comment on reports in the foreign media.”
The New York Times reported that four unnamed Israeli officials acknowledged Israel’s responsibility for the attack.
Iran’s U.N. mission condemned the strike, labeling it as a “flagrant violation of the United Nations Charter, international law, and the foundational principle of the inviolability of diplomatic and consular premises”.
Describing the strike as “a significant threat to regional peace and security,” the Iranian mission called on the U.N. Security Council to condemn the attack and asserted Tehran’s right to take decisive action in response.
Hezbollah, considered Iran’s most powerful armed proxy in the region, pledged retaliation, stating, “This crime will not go unpunished, and the enemy will face retribution and vengeance.”
Several Muslim nations, including Iraq, Jordan, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, as well as Russia, have denounced the attack.
Iran’s ambassador to Syria, Hossein Akbari, who emerged unscathed, informed Iranian state TV that the attack resulted in the deaths of five to seven individuals, including diplomats.
He warned that Tehran’s response would be severe. Iranian state media indicated that the attack likely targeted Mohammad Reza Zahedi.
Zahedi, along with his deputy and another senior commander, as well as four others, lost their lives.
According to Iran’s Arabic-language Al Alam Television, Zahedi served as a military adviser in Syria and led the Quds Force in Lebanon and Syria until 2016.
Matthew Miller, the spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, expressed concern about anything that could escalate conflicts in the region.
However, he does not think that the strike will affect ongoing talks on the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas.
In response to the attack, Iran’s Foreign Minister, Hossein Amirabdollahian summoned a Swiss diplomat who represents U.S. interests in the country to emphasize the responsibility of Washington.
“In a post on X, Amirabdollahian conveyed a significant message to the American government, denouncing its support for the Zionist regime (Israel). He emphasized that America must provide explanations,” stated Amirabdollahian.
According to Axios, citing a U.S. official, Washington informed Tehran that it “had no involvement” or prior knowledge of the Israeli strike.
Analysts were divided on whether the attack on the Iranian Embassy compound would lead to significantly greater violence.
Jon Alterman of Washington’s CSIS think tank suggested that the attack likely reflected Israel’s belief that such strikes serve as deterrents and reduce the likelihood of wider conflict rather than escalate it.
“The Israelis are convinced that if they seek to hang back, the threat will grow and not diminish,” he stated.
“They are persuaded that as long as they do something like this periodically, their adversaries will be deterred.”
Analyst Steven Cook, however, saw potential for escalation, according to the Council on Foreign Relations in Washington.
“The IRGC can loosen restraints on proxies in Iraq and Syria, placing American forces in jeopardy again,” he declared.
“The Iranians could also direct Hezbollah to escalate its attacks on Israel, which have been growing bolder and more numerous.”
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