Israeli Strike Flattens Iran’s Consulate in Damascus, Escalating Middle East Conflict

In a dramatic escalation of tensions in the Middle East, Israel reportedly conducted an airstrike on Monday, flattening part of Iran’s consulate in the Syrian capital. The attack, which targeted the consular annex, resulted in fatalities and injuries, including a Revolutionary Guards commander among the dead, according to reports from Damascus.

This strike marks a significant development as it is the first time the main embassy compound itself has been hit. The incident occurred against a backdrop of heightened tensions between Israel and Iran, exacerbated by Israel’s conflict in Gaza and increasing violence involving Iran’s allies in the region.

Reports from the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights indicate that at least eight people, including several Revolutionary Guards members, were killed in the attack, carried out by Israeli missiles. While Iranian state TV provided a lower death toll, confirming at least five fatalities caused by F-35 fighter jets.

Eyewitnesses described scenes of destruction, with the annexe building collapsing and emergency services scrambling to rescue victims from the rubble. Smoke billowed from the flattened structure as Iranian flags flew amidst the debris, with both Syrian and Iranian officials present at the scene.

The Syrian Defence Ministry confirmed the destruction of the building and the loss of life inside, highlighting ongoing efforts to recover bodies and assist the wounded. Among those killed was a senior commander of the Quds Force, Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Zahedi, according to Iranian sources.

Israel, known for its previous strikes on Iranian targets in Syria, has neither confirmed nor denied involvement in this incident, maintaining its policy of ambiguity regarding such military operations. Similarly, the US State Department refrained from commenting on the strike, emphasizing the need for further information.

In response to the attack, Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson condemned the strike as a “heinous terrorist attack,” affirming Iran’s right to retaliate against the aggressor. Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad echoed these sentiments, denouncing the attack and expressing solidarity with Iran.

Iranian officials criticized Israel’s actions, portraying them as violations of international law and highlighting the need for a serious response from the international community.

The airstrike on Iran’s consulate in Damascus underscores the deepening tensions and volatile dynamics in the Middle East, raising concerns about the potential for further escalation and the broader implications for regional stability.