Iran's Khamenei promises Israel will be punished for Syria strike
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has issued a stern warning of retaliation following an Israeli airstrike in Syria that resulted in the deaths of senior military figures.
On Tuesday, Khamenei vowed that "Israel will face consequences" for the attack carried out the previous day, which claimed the lives of members of the Revolutionary Guards, including two generals, within the confines of the Iranian embassy compound in Damascus. This incident, coupled with the inflammatory rhetoric, has sparked apprehensions regarding the potential escalation of conflict across the region due to Israel's actions in Gaza.
In a message published on his official website, Khamenei affirmed, "The malevolent Zionist regime will face the wrath of our courageous individuals. We will ensure they rue this heinous act and all others."
Meanwhile, Iranian state television has reported a rise in the death toll from the assault on the consulate building, now tallying 13 fatalities, comprising seven Iranians and six Syrian nationals.
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi also condemned the attack, asserting that such a "cowardly act" will not go unanswered. He criticized Israel for resorting to "blind assassinations" in a bid to undermine the resilience of the resistance front.
Adding to the chorus of condemnation, Hezbollah, an Iran-aligned militant organization engaged in confrontations with Israel along the Lebanon-Israel border since the commencement of Israel's operations in Gaza, issued a warning. They emphasized that the assault on the Iranian diplomatic premises "will not go unpunished," promising retribution and vengeance upon the perpetrators.