- An Israeli airstrike razed the Iranian embassy in Damascus on Monday
- US officials say Iran plans to use drones and missiles in retaliation
- It is the latest sign that the Israeli-Hamas conflict could spark a broader regional war
US and Israeli intelligence sources believe Iran plans to retaliate for the paralysis of its embassy in Damascus by launching a drone and missile attack.
Iran vowed retaliation for the Israeli attack that killed two of its top military commanders and five advisers from its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps on Monday.
It is the latest sign that Hamas’ confrontation with Israel could lead to a broader war involving Iran.
The US has now gathered information that Tehran plans to deploy a swarm of loitering Shahed drones and cruise missiles. CBS News.
Little more is known about the timing and purpose of any retaliatory measures.
Intelligence officials fear Iran could respond to the embassy attack in Damascus by launching a swarm attack with Shahed drones
Rescuers searched the rubble of a building belonging to the Iranian embassy, a day after an airstrike in Damascus killed five Iranian soldiers
But officials said a proportionate response to the attack in Damascus would include attacking an Israeli diplomatic facility and that this would likely happen before the end of Ramadan next week.
Iran’s Shahed drone was first used by Tehran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen, and is now widely used by Russia against Ukrainian targets.
It flies at a speed of approximately 185 km/h and is designed to operate in swarming, overwhelming defense systems.
It has an 8-foot wingspan and carries a 100-pound warhead that detonates when the drone collides with its target.
Senior Iranian figures have vowed to take action against Israel.
“We will respond when we want,” said Hussein Akbari, the Iranian ambassador to Syria whose residence was destroyed in the attack.
And on Friday, Tehran sparked a public outpouring of anger with a funeral for the seven IRGC members killed earlier this week.
Meanwhile, a senior Iranian diplomat claimed that Washington had asked Tehran not to target US facilities.
“In a written message, the Islamic Republic of Iran warns the US leadership not to be drawn into Netanyahu’s trap for the US: stay away so you don’t get hurt,” said Mohammad Jamshidi, the Iranian president’s deputy chief of staff for political affairs. , in a post on X.
“In response, the US has asked Iran not to target US facilities.”
People attend the funeral procession for seven members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps killed in an attack in Syria that Iran blamed on Israel
The funeral ceremony coincides with the annual Quds (Jerusalem) Day commemorations, when Iran and its allies stage marches in support of the Palestinians.
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei prays at the coffins of seven Revolutionary Guard members killed in an attack on Iran’s consular building in Damascus
People watch as Palestinian members of a pro-Syrian government unit take part in a military parade to mark the annual Quds Day (Jerusalem) at the Yarmouk refugee camp in Damascus
White House national security chief John Kirby said the issue came up during Thursday’s phone call between President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
“There has been discussion in recent days between the two leaders about the very viable and quite public threat that Iran is making to Israel’s security, and the president has made it very clear to Prime Minister Netanyahu – very clear – that he can count on American support. to assist them in their self-defense against threats made directly and publicly by Iran,” Kirby told reporters.
Ali Vaez of the International Crisis Group think tank said Thursday that Tehran’s leaders were under pressure to act.
“Iran cannot afford not to respond, otherwise its military presence in the region will become unsustainable and could be a sign of weakness for its main regional enemy,” he said.
The head of the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah said the attack marked a “turning point” since October 7, when the Palestinian group Hamas launched an attack on Israel that has escalated regional tensions.
“Be sure, be sure that the Iranian response to the attack on the consulate in Damascus will definitely be against Israel,” he said, according to Reuters.