's foreign minister has claimed used US-made
MILITARY aircraft and missiles in a deadly airstrike on its consulate in Damascus,
Syria, which resulted in the deaths of seven top Iranian officials. The strike, which occurred on Monday, allegedly saw six US-made missiles fired from Israeli-controlled aircraft, decimating commanders and advisors from the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) stationed at the embassy in Mezzeh, a district on the western outskirts of the Syrian capital. Among the deceased were Major General Mohammad Reza Zahedi and his second-in-command, General Mohammad Hadi Haji Rahimi, both of whom were commemorated with funeral processions back in
Iran later that week. In response to the consulate strike, another high-ranking officer, Major General Mohammad Baqeri, declared the action as "suicide" on Saturday, promising retribution while attendees at the funerals chanted, "Down with the US!" On Sunday, Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian made a statement claiming that the assault on the consulate was executed using
American fighters and missiles, according to Al Jazeera, intensifying concerns that Iran might seek vengeance against American interests in the region. "Our consulate in
Damascus was targeted using American fighters and missiles," he reportedly asserted. Abdollahian also reportedly claimed that the "refusal of
Washington,
London and
Paris to condemn the consulate attack is evidence of support for the Zionist entity's adventures and expansion of the conflict." The Mirror has contacted the US Department of Defense for a statement regarding these allegations. Tensions have been mounting as the US and Israel remain on high alert for potential retaliatory strikes in the region. Baqeri ominously warned last Saturday that the US would be held accountable alongside Israel for the recent attack. Iranian officials have issued stark warnings that no
Israeli or American assets in the region are safe, including embassies. This was echoed by Gen.Rahim Safavi, who declared during the funerals for the deceased officials that "none of the embassies of the (Israeli) regime are safe anymore." In a phone call on Thursday, President
Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahu discussed the looming threat and possible preparations for Iran's anticipated response. Biden also issued a stern warning to Netanyahu, demanding an end to the relentless bombardment of the
Gaza Strip that has claimed more than 33,000 Palestinian lives since the conflict's inception. He called for a ceasefire and cautioned the Israeli prime minister about the repercussions of continuing to disregard civilian lives. The Biden Administration was swift in distancing itself from the airstrike, informing Iran that it had no involvement. Officials also warned Iran about the potential consequences if any US assets in the region were targeted. The Gaza conflict erupted on October 7, 2023, when Hamas militants invaded Israel, killing approximately 1,200 Israelis as they slept, hid in their homes, or attended an outdoor
music festival. Netanyahu's retaliatory strikes have hit hospitals, refugee camps, and other areas deemed safe by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), prompting global calls for a ceasefire and holding Israel accountable for the death and destruction caused. More than 2million
Palestinians have been displaced due to the conflict, with hundreds of thousands facing starvation, struggling to find water, and lacking shelter. The delivery of aid has been obstructed by Israeli forces, with the US and other allies threatening, as Biden did on Thursday, to withdraw support if a ceasefire isn't implemented to allow for aid delivery, hostage release, and the liberation of some Palestinian prisoners. If Iran were to attack US or Israeli assets in other parts of the
Middle East, it could potentially trigger a full-scale war involving major players such as the US,
Russia,
China,
North Korea and
NATO allies. Essentially, any country with an interest in the outcome or aligned with others who do could be drawn into the conflict, which could bring us perilously close to World War III.