IRGC commander killed as airstrike hits Iranian consulate in Syria

Israel has reportedly hit the Iranian consulate building in Damascus, the capital of Syria, on Monday, killing at least eight persons.

Iran Press said at least six persons were killed, including Mohammad Reza Zahedi, a senior Iranian revolutionary guards corps (IRGC) commander.

SANA, Syria’s official news agency, said the strikes were carried out by “the Israeli enemy” and targeted the Mezzeh neighbourhood in Damascus on Monday afternoon.

“The Israeli aggression caused major destruction to the building, in addition to damage to neighboring buildings,” SANA reported.

Israel did not confirm the accusations, saying: “We do not comment on reports in the foreign media”.

Reports say two Iranian advisers and five members of the revolutionary guards were among those killed in the strike.

Faisal al-Mikdad, Syrian foreign minister, condemned the air strike and said it was a violation of the Vienna convention on diplomatic relations.

“We strongly condemn this heinous terrorist attack that targeted the Iranian consulate building in Damascus killing several innocent people,” al-Mikdad said.

He added that the attack will not affect ties between the two allies.

The Syrian air defence had reportedly repelled some of the Israeli aggression’s missiles before the fatal strike.

Pictures shared on social media showed smoke rising from the rubble of a building that had been flattened, and emergency vehicles parked outside.

Since Hamas, the Iranian-backed Palestinian militant group, attacked Israel last year, the Jewish nation has increased airstrikes in Syria against Lebanon’s Iranian-backed Hezbollah militia and the IRGC.

If confirmed, the recent attack would be an escalation of conflict in the Middle East, pitting the Jewish nation against Iran and its allies.