Iran Threatens Retaliation Against Israel Over Alleged Airstrike on Syrian Consulate Amid Middle East Escalation

Iran has promised to take revenge after accusing Israel of attacking its embassy complex in Syria on Monday. This has heightened tensions in the region over the Gaza conflict and raised concerns about a broader Middle Eastern war.

The bombing in Damascus destroyed the consulate building and resulted in the deaths of at least seven officials, including high-ranking members of Iran's Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) like Mohammed Reza Zahedi and Mohammad Hadi Haji Rahimi, as confirmed by Iran's Foreign Ministry.

Zahedi, a former commander of the IRGC’s ground forces, air force, and the deputy commander of its operations, is the most high-profile Iranian target killed since then-US President Donald Trump ordered the assassination of IRGC Gen. Qassem Soleimani in Baghdad in 2020.

Emergency and security personnel gather at the site of strikes which hit a building next to the Iranian embassy in Syria's capital Damascus, on April 1, 2024. Syrian state media said Israeli strikes hit an Iranian consulate annex in the capital on April 1, while a war monitor reported eight people were killed and Iranian state media said a senior commander of the powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps was among the dead, amid rising regional tensions due to the Gaza war. (Photo by Maher AL MOUNES / AFP) (Photo by MAHER AL MOUNES/AFP via Getty Images)

Emergency and security personnel gathered at the site of strikes that hit a building next to the Iranian embassy in Syria's capital Damascus on April 1, 2024. According to Syrian state media, Israeli strikes targeted an Iranian consulate annex in the capital on the same day. A war monitor reported that eight people lost their lives in the attack, while Iranian state media confirmed that a senior commander of the powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps was among the deceased. These strikes occurred amidst escalating tensions in the region due to the Gaza war. (Photo by Maher AL MOUNES / AFP) (Photo by MAHER AL MOUNES/AFP via Getty Images)

Maher Al Mounes/AFP/Getty Images

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The Middle East is facing tension once again following an attack on the Iranian consulate. Iran and Syria have blamed Israel for the attack. Tehran has issued a warning of a strong response, while the Iran-backed group Hezbollah has promised retaliation. Iran has also stated that it will hold the United States accountable for supporting Israel.

The Israeli military declined to comment on foreign reports but stated that they believe the target hit was a “military building of Quds forces” – a unit of the IRGC responsible for foreign operations.

A military spokesperson, Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, emphasized that, based on their intelligence, the building in Damascus was not a consulate or embassy. Instead, it was a military building of Quds forces disguised as a civilian structure.

Four Israeli officials, who chose to remain anonymous, confirmed to the New York Times that Israel was responsible for the attack.

CNN was unable to confirm the Times' report or independently verify the statements made by Iran, Syria, and Israel.

Israel has stepped up its military actions against Iran and its allies in the region after a major attack on October 7. The attack was carried out by Hamas, a Palestinian group supported by Tehran, resulting in the deaths of approximately 1,200 individuals and over 200 people being held captive.

Israel's recent conflict in Gaza has resulted in the deaths of over 32,800 individuals, causing extensive damage and pushing more than 1 million people to the edge of starvation, as reported by the Ministry of Health in the area.

In the past, Israel has focused its attacks on Iran and its allies in Syria. However, the recent strike in Damascus represents a significant escalation in tensions, given the strategic location and target of the attack. The consulate building, which houses the ambassador's residence and is situated near the Iranian Embassy, is considered as Iranian sovereign territory.

Iran’s ambassador to Syria, Hossein Akbari, stated that it was a rare occurrence for the Zionist regime to target an official building of the Islamic Republic of Iran embassy. The embassy had the flag of the Islamic Republic proudly displayed on top of it.

Palestinians inspect the damages at the area around Al Shifa Hospital following a two-week Israeli operation, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, in Gaza City April 1, 2024. REUTERS/Dawoud Abu Alkas

Palestinians are surveying the destruction in the vicinity of Al Shifa Hospital after a two-week Israeli operation during the ongoing conflict with Hamas in Gaza City on April 1, 2024. REUTERS/Dawoud Abu Alkas.

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Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Nasser Kanaani, stated that Tehran reserves the right to retaliate and will determine the appropriate response and consequences for the attacker.

Additionally, Iran's Foreign Minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, described the attack as a breach of international obligations and agreements, emphasizing the need for a strong reaction from the global community.

Amir-Abdollahian pointed out the increasing tension between Tehran and Washington, holding the United States accountable for its support for Israel.

In a post on X, Iran's top diplomat stated, "The United States should be held responsible."

Tehran called for a meeting with the Swiss chargé d’affaires on Tuesday morning to address the incident, according to Amir-Abdollahian. Switzerland acts as the intermediary for US interests in Iran.

During the meeting, Amir-Abdollahian detailed the extent of the terrorist attack by the Israeli regime and emphasized the accountability of the American government.

Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad criticized the strike as a serious breach of international rules, particularly the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.

We are prepared for further escalation.

Analysts believe that the consulate strike could lead to a surge in attacks by Iran's proxies, especially targeting US troops.

Trita Parsi, executive vice president at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, warned that there might be an increase in attacks by Iraqi and Syrian militias against American troops. This situation could be a result of the Israeli strike on Iran, putting US troops in the Middle East at risk.

Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps military personnel show respect with a salute as a crowd of schoolboys and schoolgirls sing the Hymn Hello Commander at a rally celebrating Eid al-Ghadir in Tehran's Azadi (Freedom) avenue on July 7, 2023.

Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps military personnel salute while a group of schoolboys and schoolgirls (not pictured) chanting Hymn Hello Commander, in the Azadi (Freedom) avenue during a rally commemorating Eid al-Ghadir in Tehran, July 7, 2023.

Morteza Nikoubazl/NurPhoto/Getty Images

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The US is observing indications that Iran is concerned about the increasing proxy attacks as tensions rise.

Ever since the conflict in Gaza began, Iran's allies have been carrying out attacks on Israel and its supporters, all the while calling for a ceasefire in the Palestinian territory.

Iranian-supported groups in Iraq and Syria have conducted numerous attacks targeting US military positions in those regions. In January, three US soldiers lost their lives in a drone strike on a US outpost in Jordan, close to the Syrian border.

In response, the US conducted airstrikes on multiple Iran-backed sites in Iraq and Syria.

Houthi rebels have been carrying out attacks on commercial ships and Western military vessels in the Red Sea, a vital route for global trade.

According to Parsi, the recent escalations by Iraqi militias, backed by Iran, are believed to be a response to the events unfolding in Gaza.

Tehran is feeling the heat as the Middle East prepares for a possible Iranian retaliation. The pressure is on for Iran to appear strong after the consulate attack without escalating the situation into a larger conflict.

Hezbollah, the powerful paramilitary ally of Iran, is seen as a significant tool in the region. The Lebanese Shia militant group has been engaged in frequent clashes with Israeli forces for almost half a year. Despite this, they have been careful to focus their militant activities mainly along the border, while also maintaining a sense of retaliation in their engagements.

Fears have heightened that Israel’s conflict in Gaza may escalate into a larger regional war due to its increased involvement.

Hezbollah issued a warning on Tuesday, stating that Israel would face consequences for the consulate attack. They also praised Zahedi and the other individuals who lost their lives as "great martyrs."

An aerial view of the Barbados-flagged ship True Confidence on fire after being hit by a missile from Houthi forces at sea on March 6, 2024, is shown in this photo provided by DVIDS/Handout via REUTERS. This image has been supplied by a third party. TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY.

An aerial view of the Barbados-flagged ship True Confidence ablaze following a Houthi missile attack at sea, March 6, 2024, in this handout photo. DVIDS/Handout via REUTERS THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

DVIDS/Reuters

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A fatal attack by Houthi rebels could be a significant escalation in the Red Sea shipping crisis. The group stated that the assassination would not halt the ongoing resistance of the people, and warned that the enemy would face consequences.

In Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is under a lot of pressure from his own country to make sure all the hostages taken during the terror attack on October 7 are released.

Over the weekend, large protests took place in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem with thousands of people participating. These were the biggest protests the country has seen since the war against Hamas began. The protesters were calling for the prime minister to step down and for new elections to be held in Israel.

Israeli military spokesman Hagari pointed the finger at Iran for the increasing tensions in the region. "I'm not going to discuss that specific strike, but I want to emphasize that Iran has been the main force behind the escalation in this region over the past six months," he explained to CNN.

Iran is the primary actor responsible for committing atrocities in the region through the use of proxies in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and Yemen.

Reporting on this issue was contributed by CNN's Jim Sciutto and his team, including Lauren Kent, Hande Atay Alam, Adam Pourahmadi, Tara John, and Allegra Goodwin.

Editor's P/S:

The recent attack on the