Israeli Strike on Iranian Consulate Building in Damascus Leaves Five Dead
DAMASCUS — The Iranian ambassador has confirmed that at least five people were killed in a recent Israeli strike on the Iranian consulate building in Damascus, the capital of Syria.
The casualties include Senior Revolutionary Guards commander Brig-Gen Mohammad Reza Zahedi, according to Iranian state TV.
Iran and Syria’s foreign ministers have strongly condemned the attack, which resulted in the destruction of the multi-story building located next to the Iranian embassy in the Mezzeh district.
While the Israeli military has refrained from commenting on foreign media reports, the strike is viewed as a significant escalation.
Israel’s actions are perceived as a test of the determination of Iran and its allies, particularly Hezbollah, who have been engaged in conflicts in northern Israel and Lebanon.
This aggressive move by Israel signals their commitment towards exerting pressure on their adversaries, especially considering the relatively subdued responses from Iran and Hezbollah.
It poses a challenge to Iran and Hezbollah, testing whether they will retaliate against the Israeli aggression.
While a response is expected, it may not come in the form of traditional missiles but could involve a cyber-attack.
The Israeli aircraft targeted the consulate building from the direction of the occupied Golan Heights on Monday evening, causing the building to collapse.
Images and videos from the scene depict smoke and debris rising from the site of the demolished building, with emergency services on site. Fortunately, the nearby Iranian embassy did not sustain significant damage.
Iranian state TV confirmed the death of Brig-Gen Zahedi, a prominent figure in the Revolutionary Guards’ Quds Force responsible for overseas operations.
The strike also claimed the life of Zahedi’s aide, Mohammad Hadi Haji-Rahimi, as reported by Tasnim news agency.
According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, eight individuals, including high-ranking Quds Force officials, Iranian advisers, and members of the Revolutionary Guards, lost their lives in the attack.
As investigations continue, the White House has acknowledged the reports, with President Joe Biden’s team looking into the incident.
Syria’s Defense Ministry confirmed that some missiles were intercepted by air defenses, but others caused extensive damage to the building, resulting in casualties.
Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad condemned the attack as a “heinous terrorist act” that claimed the lives of innocent individuals.
In a phone call with Mekdad, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian denounced the strike as a violation of international obligations and called for a serious response from the international community.
This recent attack follows previous Israeli strikes in Damascus and Aleppo, which resulted in significant casualties, including Syrian soldiers and members of Hezbollah.
Israel has been actively targeting sites in Syria linked to Iran and allied armed groups, escalating its strikes in response to hostilities from Iran-backed fighters in Lebanon and Syria.
The ongoing conflict highlights the volatile situation in the region and the potential for further escalations. — BBC
