Iran continues to threaten retaliation against Israel for the attack on the Iranian embassy compound in Damascus, where top leaders of the Revolutionary Guard were meeting.
This escalation underscores Israel’s ongoing conflict with its regional adversaries.
Gen. Mohammad Bagheri, Iran’s joint chief of staff, vowed that Israel’s attack, resulting in the death of the Revolutionary Guard commander in Lebanon and Syria, Maj. Gen. Mohammad Reza Zahedi, and six others, “will not go unanswered.”
He emphasized that Iran will respond at the right time and with maximum damage, making Israel regret its actions.
Bagheri reiterated during Zahedi’s funeral that retaliation against Israel is a popular demand.
He claimed that the attack on the Iranian embassy in Damascus was suicidal for Israel and predicted that the incident would hasten Israel’s downfall.
Bagheri asserted that the end of Israel is near and echoed Iranian skepticism about the Holocaust.
He also talked about the links between the Quds Force, the foreign arm of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, and groups like Hezbollah, Hamas, and Islamic Jihad. He claimed that a recent operation revealed only a fraction of their activities.
Bagheri stated that Israel is stuck in the Gaza conflict with no way out, emphasizing that around 1000 fighters were involved in a surprise attack on Israel, dealing a severe blow that cannot be fixed.
He referred to Zahedi as a close aide to Qasem Soleimani, who was killed in a US airstrike. Zahedi’s recent death makes him one of the most significant Iranian military figures targeted since Soleimani’s demise.
Iran blamed Israel for the attack in Damascus, while Israel hasn't responded.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei promised retaliation, and President Ebrahim Raisi vowed a response, saying such actions won’t go unpunished.
On Friday, Revolutionary Guard Chief Commander Gen. Hossein Salami warned that Israel “cannot escape the consequences” of the Damascus strike.
Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah, aligned with Iran, stated on Friday that Iran's response is “inevitable.”
While Israel hasn't admitted to its role in the strike, Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh stated on Tuesday that the United States wasn't involved in an Israeli airstrike on the Iranian embassy compound.
Amid rising threats from Iran, a US official said on Friday that the country is on high alert, preparing for a potential Iranian attack targeting Israeli or American assets in response to the embassy compound attack in Syria.
US and Israeli intelligence believe Iran plans to retaliate using drones and missiles to target an Israeli embassy. They suggest Iran's response could come before the end of Ramadan, according to CBS News.
CNN reported the possibility of an attack in the coming days. A US official mentioned that both the US and Israel expect Iran's retaliation is “inevitable.”
