The attack and speech raise concerns that Israel's war in Gaza threatens to escalate major conflict across the region.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed to take revenge for the Israeli airstrike in Syria that killed senior army officers.
Iran's supreme leader announced on Tuesday that “Israel will be punished” for the attack the previous day that killed members of the Revolutionary Guard, including two generals, at the Iranian embassy compound in Damascus. The attack and speech raised fears that Israel's war in Gaza threatens to escalate major conflict across the region.
“The evil Zionist regime will be punished by our brave men. “We will make them regret this crime and others,” Khamenei said in a message posted on his official website.
The statement came at a time when Iranian state television reported that the death toll from the attack on the consulate building had risen to 13, including seven Iranians and six Syrian citizens.
Earlier, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi announced that “the cowardly crime will not go unanswered.”
“After he failed to destroy the will of the Resistance Front, the Zionist entity [Israel] “It has put blind assassinations back on its agenda to save itself.”
Hezbollah, the Iranian-affiliated armed group that has been exchanging attacks with Israel across the border with Lebanon since the start of the Israeli war on Gaza, joined in warning that the attack on Iranian diplomatic buildings “will not pass without the enemy receiving its punishment.” And revenge.”
High price
Israel did not claim responsibility for the Syrian attack that destroyed the consular building adjacent to the main embassy building in the upscale Mezzeh district of Damascus on Monday evening.
However, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant used a defiant tone in comments he made on Tuesday, but without mentioning Iran.
He told the Parliament's Defense and Foreign Affairs Committee that Israel is waging a war on multiple fronts, “offensively and defensively.”
“We work everywhere, every day, to prevent our enemies from gaining power and to make clear to everyone who acts against us – throughout the Middle East – that the price of acting against Israel will be high. “
Strong response
The attack further complicated the situation in the Middle East, where tensions have been rising since the beginning of the war on Gaza in October.
Tehran is trying to avoid direct conflict with Israel, while supporting allies who engage with Israeli and American goals. But there are concerns that the latest incident could lead to an expansion of hostilities.
“If Iran does not respond strongly enough, many here believe it will be seen as a sign of weakness, not only to Israel and the United States, but also to a number of its proxies in the region,” says Al Jazeera's Dorsa Jabbari. From Tehran.
She adds: “If Iran responds forcefully, it may risk a comprehensive confrontation with the United States.” “It's a really difficult moment.”
Amid the tension, the UN Security Council is scheduled to discuss the situation in a special session at the request of Russia, an ally of both Syria and Iran.
China condemned the attack, insisting that the security of diplomatic institutions “cannot be violated.” On the other hand, the European Union called on all parties to exercise restraint.
But Jabbari pointed out that “statements issued by Iranian officials, as well as the Supreme Leader, indicate that there will be a strong response.”
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