The United States confirmed to Iran that it was not responsible for or aware of the strike on an Iranian consulate in Damascus, Syria, according to a US official.
This communication took place as worries grew about the possibility of the conflict between Israel and Hamas escalating into a larger regional war. Iran has stated its intention to retaliate following an attack in Syria that it attributed to Israel, resulting in the deaths of two high-ranking commanders and five others at its consulate.
A spokesperson from the National Security Council stated that the United States was not involved in the strike and had no prior knowledge of it. The US official also mentioned that this information has been communicated directly to Iran.
Axios was the first to report that the US had communicated with Iran.
The State Department announced on Monday that they were still collecting information about the strike in Damascus on Monday. They also mentioned their worries about the potential for escalating conflict in the region.
State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller expressed concern about any actions that could escalate conflict in the region. He mentioned that before obtaining more information, he preferred not to comment on the specific incident.
Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian blamed the US for the attack and demanded accountability. He stated that Iran's Foreign Ministry met with the Swiss chargé d’affaires in Tehran to address the situation, as Switzerland represents US interests in Iran.
Since the Israel-Hamas war began, the US has accused Iran of backing proxy attacks on US and Western targets. In January, three American soldiers were killed in a drone attack at a US outpost in Jordan. US officials linked this attack to the Iran-supported Islamic Resistance in Iraq. However, this incident caught Tehran off guard and caused concern among political leaders there, according to CNN reports citing US intelligence.
Editor's P/S:
The situation in the Middle East remains tense following the strike on an Iranian consulate in Damascus, Syria. The United States has denied responsibility for the attack, but Iran has vowed to retaliate. This incident has raised concerns about the potential for a wider regional conflict.
The United States has a long history of involvement in the Middle East, and its actions have often contributed to tensions in the region. The US has supported Israel in its conflicts with Hamas and other Palestinian groups, and it has also been involved in wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. These actions have led to resentment and anger among many in the Middle East, who see the US as a foreign power that is interfering in their affairs.
The strike on the Iranian consulate is likely to further increase tensions between the US and Iran. Iran has already blamed the US for the attack, and it is likely to take some form of retaliatory action. This could lead to a cycle of violence that could spiral out of control.