Iran's top diplomat said Tehran sent an “important message” to the United States for a deadly attack he blamed on Israel at his consulate in Damascus.
Iran has said that the unprecedented airstrike on the Islamic Republic's consulate in Syria on Monday night, April 1 killed several people, including a senior military commander, stoking tensions between former Middle East adversaries. Oil rose to a near five-month high after reports of the attack.
For years, Israel has routinely attacked targets in Syria. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government has stepped up those attacks since war broke out in October with Gaza-based Hamas, a group backed by Iran and designated terrorist organization by the United States and the European Union.
In a flurry of late-night diplomatic activity following the attack, Iran's Foreign Ministry summoned the Swiss envoy representing US diplomatic interests in Iran at 12:45 a.m. local time on Tuesday, April 2, to emphasize “the responsibility of the American government” as a supporter of Israel, Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian wrote in X.
Three hours later, he discussed the incident by phone with his counterpart in Oman, who previously served as a mediator between Iran and the United States.
Iran says the attack killed at least five Iranian personnel, including senior military commanders, and destroyed at least one building. Tehran says it reserves the right to respond. Israel has not confirmed the attack, in line with its usual response to such accusations.
The Images showed the building completely demolished while rescuers searched through the rubble.
Iran's top security body also held a late-night meeting to discuss the incident. A statement said the Supreme National Security Council made “appropriate decisions”without giving more details.
Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed Lebanese militia, also promised that “will not be left without punishment and revenge against the enemy”.
