Iran Vows Response to Israeli Airstrike in Damascus
Tehran, Iran
Iran has pledged to respond to an airstrike in Damascus, Syria attributed to Israel. The attack, which occurred on the previous day, destroyed Iran’s Consulate and resulted in the death of 12 people, including two Iranian generals and a member of Hezbollah. Four Syrian citizens were also killed in the strike.
Hezbollah Demands Punishment and Revenge
Hezbollah, a key ally of the Syrian government and Iran, has promised to seek “punishment and revenge” against Israel for the attack. Iran’s deputy U.N. ambassador, Zahra Ershadi, expressed that some Iranians were injured and condemned the destruction of the diplomatic premises.
Israel’s Presence in the Region
Israel has repeatedly targeted Iranian officers in Syria and Lebanon, while Iran provides financial and military support to Hezbollah, as well as Hamas and other Palestinian militant groups. Tensions between Israel and Hezbollah along the Israeli-Lebanese border have been escalating since the war in Gaza began six months ago.
Iran’s Required Response
Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, chaired by President Ebrahim Raisi, held a meeting and decided on a “required” response to the airstrike. Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, vowed that those responsible for the attack would face regret and retribution. However, the details of the response have not been disclosed so far.
International Reactions
The United States National Security Council denied any involvement in the attack and communicated this directly to Iran. Iran, on the other hand, placed the responsibility on Israel and accused the United States of being complicit in the alleged Israeli crimes. Various countries, including Gulf monarchies and the Arab League, condemned Israel’s actions and expressed concerns about a potential escalation in the Middle East.
The Ongoing Conflict
The airstrike on Iran’s Consulate comes in the midst of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, which has resulted in increased clashes between Israel and Hezbollah. The war has further intensified conflict between Iran’s proxies and Israel, including attacks on Red Sea shipping by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels. Israel remains committed to defending itself on multiple fronts, while calls for de-escalation persist.
International Law and Inviolability of Diplomatic Premises
The strike on the diplomatic premises of the Iranian Consulate in Damascus prompted condemnation from U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres, who emphasized the inviolability of diplomatic and consular premises. Russia’s U.N. Ambassador called for Security Council condemnation of Israel’s actions, urging Israel to show restraint.
Tragedy for Iranian and Syrian Nationals
The attack resulted in the deaths of Iranian Generals Mohammad Reza Zahedi and Mohammad Hadi Hajriahimi, as well as five other officers. A member of Hezbollah, Hussein Youssef, was also killed. The Syrian Health Minister reported additional casualties and expressed ongoing search and rescue efforts for bodies trapped under the consulate’s rubble.
