Tension rises as Israeli warplanes target Iran embassy in Syria

In a significant escalation of tensions in the Middle East, suspected warplanes from Israel targeted an embassy in Syria belonging to Iran on Monday, resulting in the deaths of seven Iranian military advisers, including three senior commanders.

The strike, which occurred in the Mezzeh district of Damascus, saw emergency workers sifting through rubble within the diplomatic compound, adjacent to the main Iranian embassy building.

Among the casualties were Mohammad Reza Zahedi, a senior commander in Iran’s elite Quds Force, as confirmed by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad and Interior Minister were present at the site, denouncing the attack as a “terrorist act.”

An ambassador of Iran to Syria stated that the strike hit a consular building within the embassy compound, while Israel has not officially commented on the incident, maintaining its policy of neither confirming nor denying such operations.

This attack marks the first time Israel has directly targeted the vast embassy compound itself, indicating a significant escalation in its ongoing conflict with Iran and its proxies.

Israel has intensified its airstrikes in Syria, targeting both Iranian military installations and Hezbollah, the Lebanese armed group supported by Tehran.

Iran’s U.N. mission condemned the strike, labeling it a violation of international law and urging the U.N. Security Council to condemn the attack. Hezbollah, Iran’s powerful ally in the region, vowed retaliation, raising concerns about further escalation.

While the United States expressed concern over the potential for increased conflict in the region, analysts offered differing perspectives on the implications of the attack.

Some viewed it as a deterrent strategy by Israel to prevent further aggression, while others warned of the possibility of heightened violence, including attacks on U.S. forces in the region.

The strike comes amid heightened tensions between Israel and Iran-backed groups, including Hamas, following recent hostilities in Gaza. The situation remains volatile, with the potential for further escalation looming large.