An Israeli airstrike killed a top Iranian general as it targeted a building near the Iranian Embassy in Damascus, two sources familiar told Axios.
The big picture: This is a major blow to Iran, as Brig. Gen. Mohammad Reza Zahedi was the commander of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Quds Force in Syria and Lebanon.
- The general was the key Iranian military official in charge of relations with Hezbollah in Lebanon and the pro-Iranian militias in Syria.
- According to Iranian media, five other IRGC officials were killed in the strike, including Zahedi's deputy, Gen. Mohammad Hadi Hajriahimi.
- Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian accused Israel of Zahedi's assassination and stressed that Israel will be responsible for the consequences.
Between the lines: The incident is likely to escalate the shadow war between Iran and Israel that has been intensifying in recent years.
State of play: Iran's ambassador to Syria, Hossein Akbari, said Israeli fighter jets fired six missiles from the Golan Heights that hit the consulate building.
- He said he was in his office at the embassy when the strike took place.
- "The Zionist regime has acted against international laws, which will result in our decisive response," he said.
- Iranian media reported the building was used as the Iranian Embassy's consular section and the ambassador's residence.
Flashback: This is the first time Israel has attacked an Iranian diplomatic building.
- Zahedi is the most senior IRGC officer who has been killed since the assassination of Qasem Soleimani by the U.S. in January 2020.
Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional details.
