DAMASCUS, Syria (Diya TV) — An Israeli airstrike targeting Iran’s consulate in Damascus resulted in the deaths of two Iranian generals and five officers, escalating tensions in the Middle East. The strike, which demolished the consulate building, is seen as a significant move by Israel against Iran and its allies.
Reports indicate that among the casualties were two Iranian generals, including Mohammad Reza Zahedi, a senior commander in Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), along with several other Iranian diplomats. Witnesses at the scene in the Mezzeh district of Damascus observed smoke rising from the rubble of the flattened building, with an Iranian flag hanging from a pole amidst the debris.
While Israel has not officially commented on the incident, it has been accused of targeting Iranian assets in Syria in the past. The airstrike comes amid heightened tensions between Israel and Iran-backed groups, particularly following recent clashes along Israel’s northern border with Lebanon.
The strike is believed to have dealt a significant blow to Iran’s military infrastructure in the region. Zahedi, who led the elite Quds Force in Lebanon and Syria, played a crucial role in organizing Hezbollah and other Shiite militias supported by Iran. His death, along with that of his deputy and other senior officers, is expected to disrupt Iran’s regional activities and military strategy.
Iran has vowed to retaliate for the airstrike, raising concerns about further escalation in the conflict. The Iranian ambassador to Syria condemned the attack and promised a response of “equal magnitude and harshness.”
The airstrike comes amid ongoing hostilities between Israel and Iran-backed groups, with Israel accusing Iran of orchestrating a drone attack on a naval base in southern Israel earlier on the same day. While the drone attack caused minor damage and no casualties, it further heightened tensions between the two adversaries.
Israel’s actions in Syria have intensified since the start of the conflict with Hamas in Gaza, with hundreds of airstrikes targeting Iranian-allied militant groups. Despite the lack of official acknowledgment, Israel has openly stated its intent to prevent Iran from establishing a foothold in Syria and threatening its security interests.
