A consular annex next to the Iranian Embassy in Damascus, Syria, was struck by suspected Israeli warplanes on Monday. The attack killed seven Iranian military advisers, including three high-ranking commanders. This marks a notable intensification in Israel’s long-standing confrontations with regional adversaries.
Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad condemned the attack as an “atrocious terrorist attack” that “killed a number of innocents.”
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Iran’s Ambassador to Syria Hossein Akbari reported that the airstrike damaged a consular building and said that his own residence was located in the upper levels of the affected structure. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps acknowledged the loss of seven advisers, including Brig. Gen. Mohammad Reza Zahedi, a prominent figure in its Quds Force—an elite unit engaged in foreign espionage and paramilitary operations.
Israel has consistently targeted Iranian and proxy military infrastructures in Syria, yet this incident marks the first direct strike on the extensive embassy compound. The assault coincides with Israel’s offensive against Hamas and its supporters, following the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel that killed about 1,200 people and took more than 250 people hostage.
The Iranian mission at the UN has labeled the strike a “flagrant violation of the United Nations Charter, international law, and the foundational principle of the inviolability of diplomatic and consular premises,” urging the Security Council to issue a condemnation. Meanwhile, Hizbullah has signaled its intent to retaliate, deepening concerns over a potential regional escalation.
The incident has garnered widespread international condemnation, including criticism from Muslim nations and Russia, while stirring debates over the potential for further violence in the region. US officials have distanced themselves from the event, asserting no prior knowledge or involvement.