TEHRAN: Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has vowed retaliation against Israel following a suspected Israeli air strike on Iran’s consulate in Damascus. The attack resulted in the deaths of seven Iranian military commanders, marking a significant escalation in tensions between the two longtime adversaries.
Raisi condemned the strike as a “cowardly crime” orchestrated by the Israeli regime in an attempt to undermine the resilience of the resistance front. He emphasized that such actions would not deter Iran’s determination and vowed that the attack would not go unanswered.
Israel has a history of targeting Iranian military installations and proxies in Syria, but this incident marks the first time it has struck the Iranian consulate directly. While Israeli military officials have refrained from commenting on the attack, it is widely seen as part of Israel’s broader campaign against Iranian influence in the region.
The timing of the strike is notable, coming amid heightened tensions between Israel and Hamas. Israel has intensified its military operations against Hamas following an attack by the group on October 7, which sparked a violent conflict resulting in significant casualties on both sides.
In response to the attack on its consulate, Iran is expected to take retaliatory measures against Israel, further exacerbating the already volatile situation in the region. The escalation underscores the deep-rooted animosity between the two countries and raises concerns about the potential for further conflict.
As the situation continues to unfold, the international community must remain vigilant and actively engage in diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions and prevent the outbreak of full-scale hostilities. Any further escalation risks destabilizing the entire region and causing widespread humanitarian suffering.
