NewsDeadly strike in Damascus. Israel and Iran edge closer to open conflict
Deadly strike in Damascus. Israel and Iran edge closer to open conflict
8:23 AM EDT, April 3, 2024
"The New York Times" reports that a recent attack on an Iranian diplomatic facility in Damascus, likely conducted by Israel, indicates that the conflict between these countries is becoming more overt. Tehran has vowed to retaliate.
The strike resulted in the deaths of at least three high-ranking Iranian commanders and four other officers who were overseeing Tehran's covert operations in the Middle East. This operation is among the most severe Israeli actions against Iran, targeting military leaders and nuclear research scientists for years, as noted by the American newspaper. The Iranian and Syrian governments provided these casualty estimates.
Four Israeli officials, preferring to stay anonymous, confirmed to the newspaper that their country was behind the Damascus attack. However, they disputed the claim that the facility had diplomatic status.
In contrast, the Syrian ambassador to Iran, Shafik Dayoub, condemned the strike as "a blatant and total violation of all international conventions and norms".
"The New York Times" suggests that the Damascus strike represents an escalation in Israel's undeclared conflict with Iran.
Syria blames Israel
The Syrian Ministry of Defense announced that Israeli forces launched an airstrike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus, resulting in at least six fatalities. Among the deceased was Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Zahedi, the commander of the elite Iranian Al-Quds force in Syria and Lebanon, as per Syrian state media.
Iran has asserted its right to retaliate, as confirmed by its Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
While no official admission of the airstrike's execution has been made, Syrian authorities are pointing fingers at Israel.
For years, Israel has targeted locations in Syria purportedly connected with Iran. Tehran's sway in Syria has grown since it started backing the Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad during the civil war that began in 2011.
