An Israeli airstrike killed a number of prominent Iranian leaders in Syria this week in a sign that the current conflict in the Middle East could be on the verge of expanding considerably. The killings of members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) represent the sharpest strike on Iranian leadership since IRGC head Qassem Soleimani was killed at the direction of former President Donald Trump in 2020.
The strike in Damascus, Syria killed several key Iranian leaders, including General Mohammad Reza Zahedi.
Tehran confirmed that at least two generals and five other officials were dead. The strike killed two of the major leaders of the IRGC, which Washington considers a terrorist organization. The attack also killed a prominent member of a Palestinian terrorist organization.
The airstrike occurred near the Iranian consulate in the country. International law states that diplomatic buildings are legitimate targets if they are being used to plan for war. Iran has used Syria as a conduit for a number of attacks on Israel.
Iran appeared to partially blame the strike on the United States, sending a message through diplomatic channels that it would hold Washington accountable for the attack.
The Iranian Foreign Ministry has reportedly Delivered an Important Message to the United States through the Swiss Embassy regarding what they claim to be their, “Role in the Illegal Israeli Attack today on the Iranian Embassy in the Syrian Capital of Damascus.”
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) April 2, 2024
The Israeli strike came amid increasing concerns of an expanding war against the Hezbollah terrorist group in Lebanon. Israeli forces and Hezbollah have increasingly traded fire, but the conflict has not evolved into a general war.
Iran-backed forces have launched a number of attacks against American and Israeli targets since the current Middle East conflict began last October.
The strike against senior IRGC leaders could be in retaliation for a strike by a drone or missile against the southern Israeli city of Eilat reportedly launched from Iraq. A militant group tied to Iran claimed responsibility for the strike.
The Iranian-supported Houthi rebel group in Yemen has also launched a series of attacks on international shipping and Israel itself, leading to a series of airstrikes led by the United States. A similar airstrike killed an IRGC leader there earlier this year, likely launched by Israel.
