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Israeli Precautions Amidst Potential Iranian Response to Damascus Attack

Israeli Precautions Amidst Potential Iranian Response to Damascus Attack

Reports indicate that Israel has taken precautionary measures in anticipation of any Iranian response to the airstrike targeting the Iranian embassy complex in Damascus, which resulted in the death of seven Iranians, including Mohammad Reza Zahidi, a senior commander in the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, last Monday. Iran has vowed to take revenge.

In the latest developments, the Israeli Security Cabinet concluded a meeting on Thursday night, deciding that the Israeli army should be "prepared for any development against Iran, whether in defense or attack."

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated, "Iran has been acting against us for years, both directly and through its proxies, hence Israel operates against it and its proxies, offensively and defensively." According to U.S. media reports, he added: "We know how to defend ourselves, and we will operate under the simple principle that whoever strikes us or plans to do so - we will strike them."

Israel did not comment on the strike in Damascus, but analysts viewed the attack as an Israeli escalation in its campaign against Iran's regional proxies, which entails the risk of igniting a broader war.

Additionally, there have been reports that Israeli authorities have suspended the operations of 28 diplomatic missions worldwide in light of Iran's threats to retaliate for the bombing of its consulate in Damascus.

Israeli radio "Kan" reported yesterday that, as part of an "unprecedented readiness" for an Iranian response to the Israeli attack on its consulate, the Israeli Foreign Ministry, along with security officials, decided to evacuate several of its embassies around the world.

Earlier, Israeli military spokesperson Daniel Hagari stated that the Israeli army has enhanced its defensive capabilities and has prepared fighter jets for strike operations should any new developments arise.

Meanwhile, the spokesperson for the Israeli Foreign Ministry, Lior Hayat, refrained from commenting on reports regarding the evacuation of staff from several embassies, while an Israeli source denied to the TASS agency the information regarding the evacuation of Israeli embassies.

On his part, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei tweeted in Hebrew on Thursday, expressing Iran’s intention to make Israel regret its decision to carry out an air raid on the Iranian consulate in Damascus.

It is noteworthy that on April 1, Israeli air forces targeted the Mezzeh neighborhood in Damascus, where the Iranian embassy complex is located, resulting in 13 deaths due to the bombing. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard later confirmed the death of seven military advisors, including Generals Mohammad Reza Zahidi and Mohammad Hadi Haji Rahimi, along with five officers, and Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi promised that the attack on the consulate would not go unanswered.

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