Iran pledged to retaliate against Israel during a funeral in Tehran for seven officers killed in a suspected Israeli airstrike in Syria.
State TV broadcasted scenes of protesters with images of the deceased and anti-Israel, anti-America banners.
Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Zahedi, a high-ranking figure in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), died in the attack. He was in Syria’s Damascus at the Iranian embassy when the airstrike occurred.
Major General Hossein Salami, IRGC’s commander, addressed the crowd. He promised retribution against Israel, asserting the nation’s readiness to respond to any acts of aggression.
Read: IRGC Commander Mohammad Reza Zahedi Kills in Israeli Strike
The funeral aligned with Quds Day, a day for pro-Palestinian and anti-Israel rallies across Iran. Ziad al-Nakhala, leader of the Islamic Jihad group, attended the Tehran event.
This airstrike marks a peak in the ongoing conflict, leading to fears of escalation. Following the attack, Israel prepared for potential retaliation by bolstering its military readiness.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a stark warning, emphasizing Israel’s resolve to defend itself against threats.
In Tehran, the community mourned, displaying the coffins of two officers and showing solidarity with Palestinians. The commemorations took place on Jerusalem Day, underscoring Iran’s support for Palestinian claims to East Jerusalem.
