Iran's Foreign Minister, Hossein Amirabdollahian, has accused the United States of implicitly approving Israel's recent airstrike on Iran's consulate building in Syria, resulting in the deaths of seven Iranian military officials, including two generals. The attack marks a dangerous escalation in tensions between the two adversaries.
The strike claimed the life of Gen. Mohammad Reza Zahedi, a senior official in the Iranian Revolutionary Guard's Quds Force, and has heightened concerns of the conflict expanding beyond regional borders. Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah has pledged support for Tehran's retaliatory efforts.
The incident occurs amid heightened hostilities between Israel, Iran, and their respective allies, with Iran supporting militant groups like Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon, both of which have clashed with Israel in recent months.
While Israel has frequently targeted Iranian military figures and their allies, Zahedi's death marks a significant blow for Tehran, akin to the killing of Quds Force chief Gen. Qassim Soleimani by a US drone in 2020.
Amirabdollahian criticized the US and unnamed European nations for failing to condemn the consulate attack, suggesting tacit approval from Washington. However, the Biden administration has denied foreknowledge of the airstrike, reiterating its close ties with Israel. Despite Israel's usual reticence on such operations, the Pentagon has confirmed its assessment of Israel's responsibility for the strike. Israel has refrained from commenting on the incident, maintaining its longstanding policy of ambiguity regarding military operations against Iranian targets.
The strike claimed the life of Gen. Mohammad Reza Zahedi, a senior official in the Iranian Revolutionary Guard's Quds Force, and has heightened concerns of the conflict expanding beyond regional borders. Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah has pledged support for Tehran's retaliatory efforts.
The incident occurs amid heightened hostilities between Israel, Iran, and their respective allies, with Iran supporting militant groups like Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon, both of which have clashed with Israel in recent months.
While Israel has frequently targeted Iranian military figures and their allies, Zahedi's death marks a significant blow for Tehran, akin to the killing of Quds Force chief Gen. Qassim Soleimani by a US drone in 2020.
Amirabdollahian criticized the US and unnamed European nations for failing to condemn the consulate attack, suggesting tacit approval from Washington. However, the Biden administration has denied foreknowledge of the airstrike, reiterating its close ties with Israel. Despite Israel's usual reticence on such operations, the Pentagon has confirmed its assessment of Israel's responsibility for the strike. Israel has refrained from commenting on the incident, maintaining its longstanding policy of ambiguity regarding military operations against Iranian targets.
