Iran says Israeli embassies ‘no longer safe’ after Syria strike

‘The embassies of the Zionist regime are no longer safe,’ said a senior adviser to Iran’s leader, according to a state-run news agency

Meanwhile, Israel says it has completed preparations for responses to potential Iran scenarios, and has pulled troops from southern Gaza ‘to prepare for future operations’

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Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei stands next to the coffins of seven Revolutionary Guard Corps members who were killed in a strike on the country’s consular in Damascus, which Tehran blamed on Israel, ahead of their funeral procession. Photo: Iranian Supreme leader’s Office / dpa

Published: 8:16pm, 7 Apr 2024Updated: 5:14am, 8 Apr 2024

An adviser to Iran’s supreme leader warned Sunday that Israeli embassies are not safe after a strike in Syria which Tehran blamed on Israel killed seven Revolutionary Guards members.

“The embassies of the Zionist regime are no longer safe,” Yahya Rahim Safavi, senior adviser to Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was quoted as saying by the ISNA news agency.

Meanwhile, Israel’s defence establishment has completed preparations to respond to any scenario that may develop regarding Iran, Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said on Sunday.

Gallant issued a statement following an assessment meeting with the head of the Israel Defence Forces’ Operations Directorate and the head of its Intelligence Directorate.

Iran has vowed revenge in response to a suspected Israeli attack on its embassy in Syria on Monday. It is unclear when that may happen or whether Iran would try to attack Israel directly or through one of its proxy groups such as Hezbollah, based in Lebanon.

Iranians in Tehran burn an Israeli flag during a rally marking Quds Day and the funeral of members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps who were killed in an airstrike on the Iranian embassy in Damascus, Syria. Photo: Majid Asgaripour / WANA (West Asia News Agency) via Reuters

The strike in Damascus destroyed the consulate building and killed at least 13 people, including seven Iranian military personnel and six Syrian nationals, according to Iranian state media.