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Iran has vowed retaliation against Israel, holding it responsible for a deadly airstrike on its embassy in Syria.
This incident marks a rare direct confrontation in the escalating proxy conflict between the two adversaries over the situation in Gaza.
Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, stated, "Israel will be punished. We will make them regret their crime," according to the state-run Islamic Republic News Agency.
The airstrike in Damascus on Monday night resulted in at least 13 deaths, including seven Iranian military personnel and six Syrian nationals, as reported by Iranian state media. Israel has not confirmed its involvement, consistent with its typical response to such accusations.
While Israel has frequently targeted Iran-linked sites in Syria, this attack represents the first direct strike on an Iranian diplomatic facility.
Israeli airstrikes have intensified since the outbreak of conflict in October with Gaza-based Hamas, an Iran-backed group designated as a terrorist organization by the US and the European Union.
The incident has heightened geopolitical tensions, leading to a rise in oil prices to their highest level since October, along with ongoing OPEC+ supply cuts.
Among the casualties was Mohammadreza Zahedi, a high-ranking general associated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, who had previously led its Quds Force in Syria and Lebanon.
Hezbollah, the Lebanese militia supported by Iran, which has launched frequent rocket attacks on northern Israel, has vowed retribution for the strike.
Hezbollah described Zahedi as a "loyal friend" who had supported the group for years.
In response to the attack, Iran's Foreign Ministry summoned the Swiss envoy, who represents US diplomatic interests in Iran.
Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian emphasized Iran's message to Washington regarding the US government's responsibility for the attack due to its support for Israel.
The US, however, informed Iran that it was not involved in the strike and was unaware of it beforehand, according to Axios.
Iran's state-run Nour News placed direct responsibility on the US, irrespective of its prior knowledge of the attack.
Iran's top security body convened a late-night meeting to address the incident, stating that the Supreme National Security Council had made "appropriate decisions," without providing further details.
The potential for retaliation must be weighed against the risk of inviting further Israeli counterstrikes.