(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) — In a move certain to further inflame tensions in the Middle East, Israeli fighter jets launched an airstrike on an Iranian embassy building in Damascus, Syria, resulting in the deaths of at least three senior Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) generals.
Middle Eastern media reported that among those killed in the Israeli airstrike was Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Zahedi, who led the Quds Force, a branch under the control of the IRGC in Syria and Lebanon.
He was the highest-ranking Iranian military officer killed in the Middle East conflict since the assassination of Quds Force Commander Major General Qasem Soleimani by the United States at Baghdad International Airport four years ago.
Mohammad Reza was responsible for coordinating all of Iran’s military operations and allied armed groups in Syria and Lebanon.
The second Iranian general confirmed killed was identified as Brigadier General Mohammad Mehdi Rahimi, a close associate of Mohammad Reza and his deputy in the Quds Force in Syria and Lebanon.
In addition to Mohammad Reza and Mohammad Mehdi, another Iranian general identified as Brigadier General Hossein Aminollah, who was the Chief of Staff of the Quds Force in Syria and Lebanon, was killed in the Israeli airstrike.
According to a statement by the Syrian Ministry of Defense, the Israel airstrike occurred around 5 p.m. local time, targeting the Iranian embassy consulate building in Damascus adjacent to the Canadian embassy building.
The Israeli airstrike resulted in the complete destruction of the building and caused the deaths of between five to seven individuals.
Initial reports indicate that the airstrike was carried out by Israeli Air Force F-35 fighter jets, which launched six missiles from the airspace over the Golan Heights.
Syrian military air defense systems attempted to shoot down the missiles launched by Israeli F-35 jets but were unsuccessful.
Iran’s Ambassador to Syria Hossein Akbari, who survived the Israeli airstrike, stated that Israel would receive an “appropriate” response from Tehran for its airstrike at the appropriate time.
During the airstrike, which nearly claimed his life, he was inside his office at the embassy.
Hossein stated that the Israeli airstrike demonstrated Israel’s disregard for international law by targeting a diplomatic mission of another country.
This marks the first time Israel has attacked an Iranian embassy building, which is protected under international conventions and laws.
Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Naser Kanaani reportedly said, “Iran has the right to respond and determine the type of response and punishment for those who carried out the attack.”
He also stated that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has lost his mental balance due to his failure in Gaza and his failure to achieve his military objectives.” — DSA