Iran has vowed revenge after an airstrike that it claims Israel is behind. The strike reportedly killed a pair of Iranian military commanders and several other officials when it allegedly leveled Iran’s consulate in Damascus, Syria. The incident may have widespread ramifications, not just for Israel, but the United States as well.
The Israeli military told CNN Iran is lying about the building that was hit. An Israel Defense Forces spokesperson said that the structure was being used to house Quds forces and was “disguised as a civilian building.” He went on to say that the building leveled was “no consulate” or “embassy.”
One of the Iranian commanders killed in the airstrike reportedly managed a weapons operation smuggling arms into Syria. The top commander’s death is said to be a major blow to Iran.
In response, one Israeli analyst told the Jerusalem Post that Iran could be “laying the groundwork to strike” Israeli diplomatic posts around the world, which could include the United States. However, a direct conflict with the U.S. is not believed to be what Tehran wants.
Iran may instead engage in revenge through proxies, including militias in Syria or Houthis in Yemen. Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson warned that the country has the right to take “reciprocal measures and will decide the type of response and punishment against the aggressor.”
While considering responses, Iran’s foreign minister also put the U.S. on notice for its support of Israel, saying, “the United States should be answerable.”
Meanwhile, protesters in the streets of Tehran have burned Israeli and American flags in response to the airstrike.
Israel’s defense minister responded to Iran’s warnings by saying that the “price of action against Israel will be a heavy one.”
As tensions rise, the United Nations secretary is urging all sides to show restraint, fearing a more widespread conflict could result from any escalatory actions.
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