NewsIsrael's bold strike in Damascus escalates conflict with Iran
Israel's bold strike in Damascus escalates conflict with Iran
ed. TWA
3 April 2024 09:51
"The New York Times" reports that the recent attack on an Iranian diplomatic facility in Damascus, likely executed by Israel, indicates the escalating openness of the conflict between the two nations. Tehran has vowed retaliation in response.
In the assault, at least three high-ranking Iranian commanders and four other officers involved in Tehran's secret operations across the Middle East were killed.
This event marks one of the deadliest Israeli actions against Iran, a continuation of years-long targeting, primarily against military leaders and scientists engaged in nuclear projects, according to casualty figures from the Iranian and Syrian governments mentioned by the American newspaper.
Four Israeli officials, preferring anonymity, confirmed with the newspaper their nation's responsibility for the Damascus attack but rejected claims of the facility's diplomatic status.
The Syrian ambassador to Iran, Shafik Dayoub, criticized the attack as a "blatant and complete breach of all international conventions and norms."
"The New York Times" considers the Damascus strike a step-up in Israel's undeclared war against Iran.
Syria accuses Israel
The Syrian Ministry of Defense announced on Monday that Israeli military forces launched an airstrike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus that day, resulting in at least six fatalities. Among the deceased was Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Zahedi, the leader of the elite Iranian Al-Quds force in Syria and Lebanon, as per Syrian state media.
Iran has declared its right to respond.
While responsibility for the airstrike wasn't officially acknowledged, Syrian authorities have pointed fingers at Israel.
Israel has persistently targeted Syrian sites associated with Iran amidst Tehran's expanding influence in Syria since its support began for the Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad in the civil war, which erupted in 2011.
