Israeli airstrike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus

Israeli bombing of the Iranian embassy in Damascus
Part of 2024 Israel-Iran conflict, Israel–Hamas war, Iran–Israel conflict during the Syrian civil war, Israel–Hezbollah conflict and the Iran–Israel proxy conflict
File:2024 Iranian consulate airstrike in Damascus.jpg Iranian embassy compound after the attack: destroyed consular building on the right, adjacent to embassy building
Location	Damascus, Syria 33°30′13″N 36°15′37″E
Target	Iranian consulate in Damascus
Date	1 April 2024 (2024-04-01) c. 17:00 (UTC+3)
Executed by	Israel
Outcome	Iran retaliates with missile strikes
Casualties	16 killed 7 Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps soldiers 5 Iran-backed militiamen 1 Hezbollah fighter 1 Iranian advisor 2 civilians
Location of Consulate in Syria

On 1 April 2024, an airstrike by Israel destroyed the Iranian consulate annex building adjacent to the Iranian embassy in Damascus, Syria, killing 16 people, including a senior Quds Force commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Zahedi, and seven other IRGC officers. Two civilians were killed in the attack.

The airstrike took place during a period of heightened tension between Israel and Iran, and amidst the Israel–Hamas war and the Israel–Hezbollah conflict. On 13 April 2024, Iran retaliated against the attack with airstrikes against Israel.

Background

See also: Iran–Israel conflict during the Syrian civil war

Since 2013 Iran has maintained a presence of its troops in Syria in response to the Syrian civil war, as Syria is crucial ally of Iran. Additionally, it has been involved in training and funding paramilitary forces from Hezbollah, along with foreign militias from Iraq and Afghanistan, not only in Syria but also in neighboring Lebanon. Since the outbreak of the Syrian civil war in 2011, Israel has conducted hundreds of airstrikes targeting Hezbollah assets within the country.

With the onset of the Israel–Hamas war in October 2023, Israel has increased its intensity of attacks on Syria. From 12 to 22 October 2023, Israel launched at least three attacks on airports in Syria, particularly on Damascus and Aleppo. Notably, Israel carried out the assassination of Razi Mousavi, a senior Iranian general, in the Syrian capital of Damascus on 25 December 2023, and Brigadier General Sadegh Omidzadeh, an intelligence officer with the IRGC Quds Force, on 20 January 2024.

Attack

On 1 April 2024, the Iranian consulate annex building adjacent to the Iranian embassy in Damascus was destroyed by an Israeli airstrike. Iranian ambassador Hossein Akbari alleged that the consulate building "was targeted with six missiles from Israeli F-35 warplanes".

The suspected primary target of the attack was the Quds Force commander of the IRGC, Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Zahedi, who was killed in the attack. According to The Guardian, Zahedi was a critical figure in the relationship between Iran and Hezbollah. The New York Times reported that an anonymous source from the Revolutionary Guards said that the strike targeted a meeting between Iranian intelligence officials and Palestinian militants, including leaders of Palestinian Islamic Jihad, who were discussing the war in Gaza.

Footage and photos from the consulate area after the attack showed extensive damage, fire, and smoke. Iranian media reported that the building had been completely destroyed and that the ambassador and his family, who were housed in the embassy next door, were unharmed.

The Canadian embassy building on the other side of the consular building was also damaged in the attack, with at least some of its windows destroyed. The embassy has been closed since 2012 because of the Syrian civil war though it is still owned by the Canadian government.

Casualties

Sixteen were killed in total, including seven Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) soldiers, five Iran-backed militiamen, one Hezbollah fighter, one Iranian advisor, and two civilians.

In addition to Zahedi, casualties included Zahedi's deputy Brigadier General Mohammad Hadi Haji Rahimi and five Iranian officials: Hossein Aman Elahi, Sayid Mehdi Jalalati, Ali Agha Babaei, Sayid Ali Salehi Roozbahani, and Mohsen Sedaghat. Zahedi was the most senior IRGC officer to be killed since the assassination of Qasem Soleimani by the U.S. in January 2020.

Aftermath

Ali Khamenei leading the funeral for the slain IRGC soldiers on 4 April

In several cities across Iran, including the capital, Tehran, as well as Tabriz and Isfahan, large crowds of protesters gathered waving Palestinian and Iranian flags and demanding revenge.

Seven Israeli embassies were evacuated in response to the potential threat of an Iranian retaliatory attack, after Iran publicly blamed Israel and vowed retaliation. The IDF deployed GPS jamming systems within Tel Aviv to safeguard against potential aerial attacks by Iran. Initial U.S. intelligence anticipated a significant attack on U.S. or Israeli assets as soon as the week of April 8–12.

On 13 April, the IRGC Navy boarded the Portuguese container ship 'MSC Aries' in the Strait of Hormuz via helicopter. It was redirected to Iranian territory. The MSC Aries is partially owned by Israeli businessman Eyal Ofer and operated by his company, Zodiac Maritime.

Several countries evacuated Tehran embassies and cut their airlines' flights.

Legality

Diplomatic premises, like homes and schools, are considered "civilian objects" under international law, and they are not permissible as targets unless they are used for a military purpose. Diplomatic buildings are entitled to further protections from attack or other interference by the host country under international customary law, codified in the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and the 1963 Convention on Consular Relations. It is the obligation of the country in which an embassy is located to protect the embassy, but international treaties do not expressly prohibit a third country to target diplomatic premises if they host combatants and are targeted in an act of self-defense, although a claim of self-defense cannot usually justify an attack on the territory of a country not participating in hostilities.

According to Aurel Sari, a professor of international law at Exeter University in the United Kingdom:

An Israeli airstrike carried out within Syria without its consent would be in contravention of Article 2(4) of the United Nations Charter, which prohibits a state from using force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any other state... Unless Israel were able to justify any airstrike as an act of self-defense, it would be in violation of international law.

Reactions

• Iran: Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader, vowed a harsh response to the attack. Khamenei's political advisor Ali Shamkhani, said that the United States "remains directly responsible whether or not it was aware of the intention to carry out this attack". Iran also sent a letter to the United Nations Security Council, saying it "reserves its legitimate and inherent right to respond decisively".
• Israel: Daniel Hagari, the IDF spokesman, told reporters: "According to our intelligence, this is neither a consulate nor an embassy." He further added that the target struck was a "military building of Quds forces disguised as a civilian structure in Damascus". Yoav Gallant, the Minister of Defense, said that "Israel is working to make it clear to everyone who acts against us, all over the Middle East, that the price for acting against Israel will be a heavy price." Israel told the U.S. that if Iran were to launch an attack from its territory against Israel in retaliation, it would prompt a robust response from Israel, potentially escalating the current conflict to a higher intensity.
• Syria: Syria's Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad condemned the airstrike, calling it a "terrorist attack" which had killed "innocents".

International

• Algeria: According to a statement released by the country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Algeria "vehemently" condemned the bombing.
• Armenia: In a post on X, Armenia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated it was "deeply concerned" over the attack, reiterating "the inviolability of diplomatic representations" and expressing sympathy for the victims and wounded.
• Brazil: According to a press release from Brazil's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Brazilian government condemned the airstrike, while recalling "the principle of inviolability of diplomatic and consular missions" as stated by the Vienna Convention, as well as respect for national sovereignty and territorial integrity as stated by the United Nations Charter. Brazil also expressed concern over a possible spread of hostilities in the region.
• China: China condemned the attack, with the Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin saying: "The security of diplomatic institutions cannot be violated, and Syria's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity should be respected".
• Cuba: In a post on X, Cuba's Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla stated that his country "energetically condemns" the attack, describing it as a "flagrant violation" of Syria's sovereignty and international law.
• Egypt: In a post on X, Ahmed Abu Zeid, spokesman for the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated that the country rejects attacks on diplomatic premises "under any justification," while reaffirming respect for Egypt's territorial integrity and sovereignty.
• Iraq: In a telephone conversation with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' Al Sudani extended his condolences on the victims of the attack, while stressing Iraq's condemnation of the "sinful aggression."
• Kuwait: Kuwait's Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed the country's "strong condemnation" of the attack, calling it a violation of international law. It also called on the international community to "bear responsibility" and make an effort to protect the region's stability and safety.
• Lebanon: The Lebanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants condemned the attack, stating that the attack was a "breach of international law and a serious violation of the Vienna agreements for diplomatic and consular relations".
• Libya: Libya's Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement expressing its rejection of the attack, describing it as a violation of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.
• Mauritania: In a statement, Mauritania's Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed "strong condemnation" of the bombing, while reaffirming the need to "respect diplomatic and consular premises and the sovereignty of States" in accordance with international law.
• Nicaragua: Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega and Vice President Rosario Murillo offered their "heartfelt and deep condolences" in a letter addressed to Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and President Ebrahim Raisi, while condemning what they called a "despicable and miserable act by the enemies of peace and life."
• Oman: Oman's Foreign Ministry issued a statement condemning the attack, describing it as a breach of Syrian sovereignty, international law and diplomatic and consular immunities, and calling for regional de-escalation.
• Pakistan: The Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the attack, describing it as "an unacceptable violation of the sovereignty of Syria" which "undermines its stability and security."
• Qatar: Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement strongly condemning the attack, and expressing condolences to the victims.
• Russia: Russia strongly condemned the attack, with a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs describing it as unacceptable. During a telephone conversation with his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov offered his condolences, calling the attack a "political killing." Russia also requested the UN Security Council to discuss the strike.
• Saudi Arabia: The Saudi Arabian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated the country's "categorical rejection of targeting diplomatic facilities for any justification, and under any pretext".
• South Africa: In a press release, the South African government conveyed its condolences to the victims of the bombing. It condemned the attack as "a flagrant violation of international law," as well as of Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
• Spain: In an interview with Al Jazeera during his visit to the Middle East, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez described the attack as "unacceptable" and called on Israel to explain if it played any role.
• Turkey: The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the Israeli bombing in a statement, while expressing concerns of regional escalation of the conflict and urging all sides to abide by international law.
• United Arab Emirates: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates condemned the targeting of the Iranian diplomatic mission.
• United States: A spokesman of the United States National Security Council stated that it had no involvement in or advance knowledge about the Israeli strike.
• Venezuela: In a post on X, Venezuela's Foreign Minister Yván Gil expressed his country's "strong condemnation" of the bombing, as well as his solidarity with the peoples and governments of Iran and Syria.
• Vietnam: Vietnam condemned the attack, with Foreign Ministry spokeperson Pham Thu Hang citing the 1961 Vienna Convention on the protection and respect of diplomatic representatives and facilities. The ministry did not directly mention Israel in its statement, but called on "the sides concerned" to refrain from violence and "settle differences by peaceful means".

Supranational

• Arab League: The Arab League released a statement condemning the attack as a "blatant violation" of Syrian sovereignty. It also expressed concern over an escalation of the conflict in the region.
• European Union: European Commission spokesperson Peter Stano released a statement condemning the attack. He also expressed concern about any further escalations and urged "utmost restraint" after the attack.
• GCC: General-Secretary Jasem Mohamed Al-Budaiwi denounced the attack, while stressing the importance of adhering to international laws, treaties and diplomatic immunities.
• Organisation of Islamic Cooperation: Secretary-general Hissein Brahim Taha strongly condemned the aggression, expressing solidarity with the people and government of Iran.
• United Nations: The spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General Stéphane Dujarric stated: "Attacks from the outside on any country are a violation of sovereignty. We have condemned these attacks and will continue to do so."