Iranian Foreign Minister Amir Abdullahian confirmed during a press conference with his Syrian counterpart Faisal Miqdad in Damascus that "a number of important topics were discussed with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, particularly the crime committed by Israel at the Iranian consulate." He added: "An urgent meeting of the Iranian Supreme National Security Council was held within an hour of the attack on the consulate, chaired by President Raisi. We say that the United States is also responsible for the attack and must bear the responsibility, and the Zionist entity will be punished for its crime." He continued: "We will continue our efforts to stop the genocide in Gaza and the war crimes in the West Bank, and to halt the forced displacement projects of Palestinians."
He also stated: "We declared from the outset that we do not wish to expand the war in the region, but the days ahead will be difficult for the entity." For his part, Miqdad viewed that "the history of Israel is steeped in crimes, and the Israelis must think a thousand times before committing such crimes." He pointed out that the "Zionist" entity, based on hatred and animosity, has not only satisfied itself with the crimes committed daily in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, but continues its assaults on Syrian and Lebanese territories." He considered that "Israeli occupation is committing genocide in Gaza, and the full support of the United States is responsible for the continuation of this genocide." He added, "We once again call on humanity - if humanity still exists, especially in the West and the United States - to stop this Zionist massacre in Gaza." He said, "Israel is trying to expand the scope of the battle due to the defeats it is suffering in Gaza."
