Iran’s foreign minister accused the United States of giving Israel the “green light” for a strike on its consulate building in Syria that killed seven Iranian military officials, including two generals. Tehran vowed to respond to the attack, which was blamed on Israel and marked an escalation of Israel’s targeting of Iranian military officials. Hezbollah leader Nasrallah expressed support for a military response from Iran, exacerbating fears of the conflict spreading throughout the Middle East. Clashes between Israel, Hezbollah, and Hamas have increased since the war in Gaza began six months ago, with the death of Gen. Mohammad Reza Zahedi seen as a significant blow for Tehran.
Amirabdollahian stated that America bears responsibility for the attack and must be held accountable, claiming that Washington and two European countries did not condemn the attack. He argued that the failure to condemn the attack indicates that the US gave Israel permission to commit the crime. The Biden administration denied having prior knowledge of the airstrike. Israel did not comment on the attack, but the US concluded that Israel was responsible. Nasrallah said that it is Iran’s natural right to respond to the consulate attack, emphasizing Iran’s commitment to supporting its allies.
Israel’s strikes against Iranian targets are infrequently acknowledged, and Israel had no initial comment on the strike in Syria. However, the Pentagon indicated that Israel was responsible for the attack. Nasrallah highlighted Gen. Zahedi’s role in Lebanon and Syria, stating that Zahedi had multiple stints in the Mediterranean country. Hezbollah and other allies of Iran reiterated their support for Tehran’s response to the attack. In response to escalating tensions, Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon killed Hezbollah commander Ali Ahmad Hussein. Hezbollah has stated that it will cease firing rockets once a ceasefire is reached in Gaza.
Israel perceives Hezbollah as its most serious threat, given the group’s sizeable arsenal of rockets and missiles, including precision-guided weapons. Israeli airstrikes have targeted elite commanders of Hezbollah’s Radwan Force, with the most recent attack resulting in the death of Wissam al-Tawil. The risk of war spreading to Lebanon has created political tensions within the country, particularly between Hezbollah and the nationalist Christian Lebanese Forces party. Hezbollah has been accused of involvement in the kidnapping and killing of a Lebanese Forces official, which was denied by the party.
Efforts by Washington and Paris are underway to find a diplomatic resolution to prevent the escalation of conflict along the Lebanon-Israel border. The Lebanese military announced the death of a Lebanese Forces official who was kidnapped and killed in northern Lebanon. Three Syrians were detained in connection with the abduction and killing, with the Lebanese Forces party casting doubt on the army’s findings. Nasrallah denounced accusations of Hezbollah’s involvement in the kidnapping, labeling the claims as baseless and dangerous rhetoric. The situation remains tense as the risk of a wider war in the Middle East continues to loom.
