Iran Vows Israel Retaliation, Complains to Security Council Over Consulate Strike

A banner distributed by the propaganda office affiliated with the Revolutionary Guards threatens to liquidate Israeli army leaders (AFP)
A banner distributed by the propaganda office affiliated with the Revolutionary Guards threatens to liquidate Israeli army leaders (AFP)
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Iran Vows Israel Retaliation, Complains to Security Council Over Consulate Strike

A banner distributed by the propaganda office affiliated with the Revolutionary Guards threatens to liquidate Israeli army leaders (AFP)
A banner distributed by the propaganda office affiliated with the Revolutionary Guards threatens to liquidate Israeli army leaders (AFP)

Iran has vowed to retaliate against Israel for bombing its consulate in Damascus, which killed seven top officers of the Revolutionary Guards, including Mohammad Reza Zahedi, the commander of the Quds Force in Syria and Lebanon.

This raises fears of more violence after this unprecedented attack.

Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei mourned Zahedi and his deputy, Mohammad Hadi Haj Rahim, and promised that Israel would regret its actions.

Iranian media shared a photo of the consulate’s entrance, confirming the attack.

The death toll has reached 13, including seven Revolutionary Guards members.

Iran’s ambassador to Syria, who had been working at the nearby embassy, said the consulate in the Syrian capital had been hit by six missiles launched by F-35 jets.

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi condemned the attack, promising a response. A statement from the Supreme National Security Council assured that necessary decisions have been made.

Moreover, Iran’s UN mission called on the Security Council to strongly condemn the attack, describing it as a serious threat to regional peace.

Iran also stated its right to respond decisively. The strike was criticized as a clear violation of international law and the principle of diplomatic premises’ inviolability.

The conflict in the Middle East has been escalating since the Gaza war began in October. Israel has been carrying out airstrikes for years, targeting Iranian interests or groups supported by Iran. However, Monday's attack in Damascus was one of the boldest yet.

While Tehran avoids direct conflict with Israel, it has backed attacks on Israeli, US, and Red Sea commercial targets.

Israel has not claimed responsibility for the attack, which destroyed a consulate building near the main Iranian embassy.

According to a senior Israeli official, the targets were involved in previous attacks on Israeli and US assets and were planning more.

Four unnamed Israeli officials admitted Israel's involvement in the attack, as reported by The New York Times.

According to Axios, which cited a US official, Washington informed Iran that it “had no involvement” or advance knowledge of an Israeli strike on the diplomatic compound in Syria.

Threats to retaliate against Israel have raised questions within Iran about what form the response might take.

Vahid Jalalzadeh, head of Iran’s parliamentary National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, mentioned that Iran will respond “at the right time and place” but didn't specify further.

Observers, however, downplay the likelihood of a direct clash between Iran and Israel.



White House Withdraws Nomination for US Hostage Envoy

FILE PHOTO: Adam Boehler, US President Donald Trump's Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs, addresses the daily coronavirus task force briefing when he was CEO of the US International Development Finance Corporation, in the Rose Garden at the White House in Washington, US, April 14, 2020. REUTERS/Leah Millis/File Photo/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Adam Boehler, US President Donald Trump's Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs, addresses the daily coronavirus task force briefing when he was CEO of the US International Development Finance Corporation, in the Rose Garden at the White House in Washington, US, April 14, 2020. REUTERS/Leah Millis/File Photo/File Photo
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White House Withdraws Nomination for US Hostage Envoy

FILE PHOTO: Adam Boehler, US President Donald Trump's Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs, addresses the daily coronavirus task force briefing when he was CEO of the US International Development Finance Corporation, in the Rose Garden at the White House in Washington, US, April 14, 2020. REUTERS/Leah Millis/File Photo/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Adam Boehler, US President Donald Trump's Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs, addresses the daily coronavirus task force briefing when he was CEO of the US International Development Finance Corporation, in the Rose Garden at the White House in Washington, US, April 14, 2020. REUTERS/Leah Millis/File Photo/File Photo

The Trump administration has withdrawn the nomination of Adam Boehler to serve as special presidential envoy for hostage affairs, the White House said on Saturday.
Boehler, who has been working to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, will continue hostage-related work as a so-called "special government employee," a position that would not need Senate confirmation.
"Adam Boehler will continue to serve President Trump as a special government employee focused on hostage negotiations," White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said in a statement.
"Adam played a critical role in negotiating the return of Marc Fogel from Russia. He will continue this important work to bring wrongfully detained individuals around the world home."
A White House official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Boehler withdrew his nomination to avoid divesting from his investment company. The move was unrelated to the controversy sparked by his discussions with the Palestinian militant group Hamas.
"He still has the utmost confidence of President Trump," said the official.
"This gives me the best ability to help Americans held abroad as well as work across agencies to achieve President Trump’s objectives," Boehler told Reuters in a brief statement.
Boehler recently held direct meetings with Hamas on the release of hostages in Gaza. The discussions broke with a decades-old policy by Washington against negotiating with groups that the US brands as terrorist organizations.
The talks angered some Senate Republicans and some Israeli leaders. According to Axios, Israeli Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer expressed his displeasure to Boehler in a tense phone call last week.