The Iranian consulate in Damascus suffered extensive damage on Monday due to what Syrian and Iranian outlets are calling an Israeli airstrike, marking a significant uptick in Middle East tensions by potentially setting Israel against Iran and its allies.
A Lebanese security source confirmed to Reuters the death of Mohammad Reza Zahedi, Commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard in Syria and Lebanon, in the attack. Iranian state TV reported the loss of several Iranian diplomats.
At the site in Damascus’s Mezzeh district, Reuters reported smoke emanating from the ruins of a collapsed building, with emergency services present. The area featured an Iranian flag prominently displayed amid the destruction. Both the Syrian and Iranian foreign ministers made appearances at the location.
Israel, known for targeting Iranian interests in the ongoing conflict in Gaza over the past six months, has not stated this specific event, maintaining its policy of silence on foreign media reports.
Iran’s Tasnim news agency noted that the strike resulted in five fatalities. Syria’s SANA state news service mentioned deaths and injuries without providing specifics.
Starting October 7, Israel has intensified its airstrikes in Syria, targeting the Lebanese Hezbollah and the IRGC, both of which are significant supporters of Bashar al-Assad’s regime.
