DAMASCUS: Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian visited the Syrian capital on Monday, local media reported, a week after a deadly strike blamed on Israel destroyed Tehran’s Damascus consulate, further exacerbating regional tensions.
The strike, which occurred last Monday, targeted the consular section of the Iranian embassy and resulted in the deaths of seven members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), including two generals. Both Tehran and Damascus have accused Israel of carrying out the attack, although Israel has not officially commented on the incident.
Amir-Abdollahian’s visit to Syria follows his recent regional tour, which began in Oman, where efforts to de-escalate tensions were discussed. During his visit to Damascus, the Iranian Foreign Minister is expected to meet with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad. Additionally, he is set to inaugurate a new consular section for Iran in Syria.
The talks between Iranian and Syrian officials are reported to focus primarily on the repercussions of the recent consulate strike. An adviser to Iran’s supreme leader has warned that Israeli embassies are now considered unsafe following the attack, signaling heightened tensions between Iran and Israel.
The strike on the Iranian consulate is seen by analysts as an escalation in Israel’s campaign against Iran, which could potentially lead to broader conflict beyond the ongoing Israel-Palestinian conflict in Gaza.
According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the consulate strike resulted in the deaths of 16 persons, including eight Iranians, five Syrians, and one member of Hezbollah, along with two civilians. Among the casualties were high-ranking IRGC generals, further intensifying the gravity of the incident.
Israel has conducted several airstrikes in Syria over the past 13 years, targeting forces such as Hezbollah, as well as Syrian military positions and weapons depots.
