Israeli airstrike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus explained

Partof:the 2024 Iran–Israel conflict, the Israel–Hamas war, the Iran–Israel conflict during the Syrian civil war, the Israel–Hezbollah conflict and the Iran–Israel proxy conflict
Image Upright:1.5
Location:Mezzeh, Damascus, Syria
Map Type:Syria
Target:Iran's Damascus consulate building
Timezone:UTC+3
Executed By: Israel[1]
Outcome:Building destroyed, targeted people and civilians killed
Casualties:16 killed[2]
  • 7 Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps soldiers
  • 5 Iran-backed militiamen
  • 1 Hezbollah fighter
  • 1 Iranian advisor
  • 2 civilians

On 1 April 2024, Israel conducted an airstrike on the Iranian embassy complex in Damascus, Syria, destroying the building housing its consular section.[3] [4] [5] Sixteen people were killed in the strike, including eight officers of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and two Syrian civilians.[6] [2] The airstrike took place during a period of heightened tension between Israel and Iran, and amidst the Israel–Hamas war and the Israel–Hezbollah conflict.

Numerous countries and international organizations condemned the attack. On 13 April 2024, Iran retaliated against the attack with missile and drone strikes in Israel,[7] [8] [9] [10] stating that it was targeting the military base from which Israel had launched the attack.[11]

Background

Previous Israeli attacks against Iran

Since 2010, Iran (and others) have accused Israel of killing Iranian nuclear scientists inside Iran.[12] In 2018, Israeli spies raided an Iranian military facility in Tehran.[13] In February 2022, Israel is accused of having assassinating an Iranian commander in Tehran. Iran also accused Israel of attacking a military facility in Isfahan in January 2023.

Syrian civil war

See also: Iran–Israel conflict during the Syrian civil war. Since 2013 Iran has maintained a presence of its troops in Syria in response to the Syrian civil war, as Syria is a crucial ally of Iran. Additionally, it has been involved in training and funding paramilitary forces from Hezbollah, along with foreign militias from Iraq and Afghanistan, not only in Syria but also in neighboring Lebanon.[14] Since the outbreak of the Syrian civil war in 2011, Israel has conducted hundreds of airstrikes targeting Hezbollah assets within the country.[15]

With the onset of the Israel–Hamas war in October 2023, Israel has increased the intensity of its attacks on Syria.[16] From 12 to 22 October 2023, Israel launched at least three attacks on airports in Syria, particularly on Damascus and Aleppo.[17] [18] Notably, Israel carried out the assassination of Razi Mousavi, a senior Iranian general, in the Syrian capital of Damascus on 25 December 2023, and Brigadier General Sadegh Omidzadeh, an intelligence officer with the IRGC Quds Force, on 20 January 2024.[19] [20] [21]

Attack

According to Iranian, Syrian, and regional officials, on 1 April 2024, Iranian military commanders convened a "top-level meeting" inside Iran's embassy complex in Damascus in the belief that they were protected by "international norms shielding diplomatic missions". An Iranian source said that these commanders, which included General Mohammad Reza Zahedi who, according to Iranian officials, was in charge of Iran's covert operation in Syria and Lebanon, were in Damascus to discuss "operational logistics and coordination".[22] According to Iranian officials, they were meeting with members from Palestinian Islamic Jihad, a militant group active in the Gaza Strip.[23]

That day, the Iranian consulate annex building in the Iranian embassy complex in Damascus was destroyed by an Israeli airstrike. Iranian ambassador Hossein Akbari alleged that the consulate building "was targeted with six missiles from Israeli F-35 warplanes".[24] The Guardian stated that Israeli warplanes were responsible for the attack.[25] The New York Times (NYT) stated that four Israeli officials anonymously confirmed Israeli responsibility for the attack.[26] Various other media outlets did not definitively attribute the attack to Israel, and the Israeli government refused to comment on the matter.[27] [28] [29] [30]

The suspected primary target of the attack was the Quds Force commander of the IRGC, Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Zahedi, who was killed in the attack. According to The Guardian, Zahedi was a critical figure in the relationship between Iran and Hezbollah.[31] NYT reported that an anonymous source from the Revolutionary Guards said that the strike targeted a meeting between Iranian intelligence officials and Palestinian militants, including leaders of Palestinian Islamic Jihad, who were discussing the war in Gaza.[32]

Footage and photos from the consulate area after the attack showed extensive damage, fire, and smoke. Iranian media reported that the building had been completely destroyed and that the ambassador and his family, who were housed in the embassy next door, were unharmed.[33]

The unused Canadian embassy building on the other side of the consular building was also damaged in the attack, with at least some of its windows destroyed. It has been closed since 2012 because of the Syrian civil war, but it is still owned by the Canadian government.[34]

Casualties

Sixteen were killed in total, including seven Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) soldiers, five Iran-backed militiamen, one Hezbollah fighter, one Iranian advisor, and two civilians.

In addition to Zahedi, casualties included Zahedi's deputy Brigadier General Mohammad Hadi Haji Rahimi and five Iranian officials: Hossein Aman Elahi, Sayid Mehdi Jalalati, Ali Agha Babaei, Sayid Ali Salehi Roozbahani, and Mohsen Sedaghat.[35] Zahedi was the most senior IRGC officer to be killed since the assassination of Qasem Soleimani by the U.S. in January 2020.[36] According to Bloomberg the IRGC command wing in Syria was eliminated in the strike. [37]

Analysis

Journalists Peter Beaumont and Emma Graham-Harrison of The Guardian wrote that the Israeli strike was a miscalculation that had "bulldozed through every red line to attack a location that Tehran maintains was tantamount to attacking Iranian soil."[38]

Sanam Vakil, the director of the Middle East and North Africa programme at the Chatham House think tank, stated that the Damascus attack and the "breach" of the Vienna convention was "the straw that broke the camel's back."[38]

Legality

Diplomatic premises, like homes and schools, are considered "civilian objects" under international law.

Diplomatic buildings are entitled to further protections from attack or other interference by the host country under international customary law, codified in the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and the 1963 Convention on Consular Relations.[39] However, the responsibilities under the Convention only apply to the host country, in this case Syria, with the Convention saying nothing about attacks by third states in foreign countries.[40]

A UN-commissioned panel of experts on international law consisting of Ben Saul, Morris Tidball-Binz, Javaid Rehman, Livingstone Sewanyana, and Cecilia M. Bailliet wrote that Israel had provided no legal justification for the attack, and had failed to report it to the United Nations Security Council. Therefore, in their view, it violated Article 2(4) banning recourse to force against another state. They also issued a warning that the Israeli officials involved in the strike might have committed crimes.[41] The subsequent Iranian retaliation was also, in their view, prohibited under international law, since self-defense is only justified to deter continuing armed attacks, and the strike on the Iranian Embassy had ended 12 days earlier.[42]

Aurel Sari, a professor of international law at Exeter University, argued that as a third state, Israel "is not bound by the law of diplomatic relations with regard to Iran's Embassy in Syria," however "unless Israel was able to justify the airstrike as an act of self-defense" it would be in violation of Article 2(4) of the United Nations Charter. Whether self-defense can justify an attack on the territory of a third country is a subject of academic debate.

Reactions

International

See main article: International reactions to the Israeli bombing of the Iranian embassy in Damascus.

Official entities from many countries condemned the attack and considered it a violation of the international laws, including the Prime Minister of Iraq,[43] the Prime Minister of Spain,[44] the President of Nicaragua,[45] and the foreign ministries of Afghanistan,[46] Algeria,[47] Armenia,[48] Brazil,[49] Belarus,[50] China,[51] Cuba,[52] Egypt,[53] Indonesia,[54] Jordan, Italy,[55] Kazakhstan,[56] Kuwait,[57] Lebanon,[58] Libya,[59] Malaysia, Maldives,[60] Mauritania,[61] Norway,[62] [63] Oman,[64] Pakistan,[65] Qatar,[66] Russia[67] (which called it a "political killing"[68]), Saudi Arabia,[69] South Africa,[70] Sierra Leone,[71] Tajikistan,[72] Tunisia,[73] [74] Turkey,[75] United Arab Emirates,[76] Uzbekistan,[77] Venezuela,[78] Vietnam,[79] as well as the Spokesperson for Yemen's Ansar Allah. The Foreign Ministry of Kyrgyzstan expressed concern.[80]

The spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General condemned the attack on 1 April.[81]

Russia requested the UN Security Council to discuss the strike.[82] A statement condemning the attack was drafted by Russia to be issued by the Security Council, but the Western member states opposed the issuance of any statement.[83] [84] [85] [86] During the briefing in the United Nations Security Council, the representatives of many countries (such as Ecuador, Guyana, Slovenia, South Korea, and Switzerland) noted that any attack on diplomatic and consular premises violates the Charter of the United Nations as well as the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and the 1963 Vienna Convention on Consular Relations. They also expressed concern that the incident could further escalate the regional conflict. The representative of Japan only expressed concern, and the representative of the United Kingdom noted the importance of "respect ... for diplomatic premises", but also criticized Iran. The spokesman of the United States National Security Council only stated that the US was not involved and had no prior knowledge of the attack.[87] Israel had notified the US in advance that it would be operating in Syria, but did not identify the target.[88] The Representative of Russia criticized the statements made by the US and others including France, considering them to be double standard.

United States officials said Israel had notified the US in advance that it would be operating in Syria, but did not identify the target. A Pentagon spokesperson said Israel had provided no advance warning of the strike.[88]

The Arab League,[89] the European Union,[90] [91] [92] the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC),[93] the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC),[94] as well as the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)[95] also condemned the attack.

Israel

The Israeli military spokesman claimed that the building is neither a consulate nor an embassy, but a military building of Quds forces "disguised as a civilian structure in Damascus".[96] Israel told the U.S. that a retaliatory attack by Iran would prompt a robust response from Israel.[97] [98]

Seven Israeli embassies were evacuated in response to the potential threat of an Iranian retaliatory attack, after Iran publicly blamed Israel and vowed retaliation.[99] The IDF deployed GPS jamming systems within Tel Aviv to safeguard against potential aerial attacks by Iran.[100] Initial U.S. intelligence anticipated a significant attack on U.S. or Israeli assets as soon as the week of 8–12 April.[101]

Iran

In several cities across Iran, including the capital, Tehran, as well as Tabriz and Isfahan, large crowds of protesters gathered waving Palestinian and Iranian flags and demanding revenge.[102] [103] The Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei vowed a harsh response to the attack. Khamenei's political advisor Ali Shamkhani, said that the United States remains directly responsible.[104] Iran also sent a letter to the United Nations Security Council, saying it "reserves its legitimate and inherent right to respond decisively".[105] Syria's Foreign Minister condemned the attack, calling it a terrorist attack.[106]

On 5 April 2024, Iran told the United States to "step aside" as it prepared for retaliation against Israel.[107] On 13 April 2024, the Iranian military launched its Operation True Promise,[108] attacking Israel from its own soil for the first time,[109] firing more than 300 standoff weapons at Israel, including at least 170 aerial drones, 30 cruise missiles, and 120 ballistic missiles. The attack, which constituted the largest single drone attack in history, was described as a success by Iran[110] and as a failure by Israel, the latter saying that its air defenses, buttressed by those of allies, destroyed almost all the incoming weapons before they could reach their targets.[111] [112] That same day, the IRGC Navy boarded and seized Portuguese container ship MSC Aries in the Strait of Hormuz via helicopter, claiming it as "linked to Israel"[113] and "violating maritime laws".[114] On 18 April 16 shipping associations sent a joint letter to the United Nations requesting every effort to release the captive crew of MSC Aries, and for "enhanced military presence, missions and patrols in the region to protect seafarers",[115]

See also

Notes and References

  1. News: George . Susannah . 1 April 2024 . Israeli strike on Iranian Consulate in Damascus kills key commander, Iran says . 2 April 2024 . . 3 April 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240403210209/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/04/01/syria-iran-embassy-strike-israel/ . live .
  2. Web site: 3 April 2024 . Woman and her son among 16 people killed in Israeli raid on building attached to Iranian embassy . 3 April 2024 . Syrian Observatory For Human Rights.
  3. News: Bergman . Ronen . Fassihi . Farnaz . Schmitt . Eric . Entous . Adam . Pérez-Peña . Richard . 17 April 2024 . Miscalculation Led to Escalation in Clash Between Israel and Iran . 23 April 2024 . The New York Times . en-US . 0362-4331 . 18 April 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240418001336/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/17/world/middleeast/iran-israel-attack.html . live .
  4. News: Bowen . Jeremy . Gritten . David . 1 April 2024 . Israel accused of deadly strike on Iranian consulate in Syria . live . . https://web.archive.org/web/20240401183051/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-68708923 . 1 April 2024 . 1 April 2024 .
  5. News: 1 April 2024 . Iran vows response after strike it blames on Israel demolishes consulate in Syria . 2 April 2024 . ABC News . en-US . 2 April 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240402124859/https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/iran-vows-revenge-after-israeli-strike-demolishes-consulate-108738701 . live .
  6. News: Death toll update 14 people killed in Israel attack on building of the Iranian embassy in Damascus . 9 April 2024 . Syrian Observatory for Human Rights . 2 April 2024.
  7. Web site: 13 April 2024 . Iran launches air attack on Israel, with drones 'hours' away . 13 April 2024 . . 13 April 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240413204842/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/4/13/israeli-army-says-iran-has-launched-drones-at-israel . live .
  8. Web site: 13 April 2024 . Israel braces as Iran launches wave of retaliatory strikes . 13 April 2024 . . 13 April 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240413205733/https://edition.cnn.com/2024/04/13/middleeast/iran-drones-attack-israel-intl-latam/index.html . live .
  9. Web site: Tanyos . Faris . Tabachnick . Cara . 13 April 2024 . Iran launches drones toward Israel in retaliatory attack after consulate strike in Syria – CBS News . 13 April 2024 . . en-US . 13 April 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240413205725/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/iran-launches-drone-attack-toward-israel-idf-says/ . live .
  10. News: Live Updates: Israel Reports Light Damage After Iran Launches Large Strike . The New York Times . 13 April 2024 . 14 April 2024 . 16 April 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240416172501/https://www.nytimes.com/live/2024/04/13/world/israel-iran-gaza-war-news/iran-israel-attack?smid=url-share . live . Boxerman . Aaron . Bergman . Ronen . Fassihi . Farnaz . Schmitt . Eric .
  11. Web site: Picheta . Rob . 14 April 2024 . Why Iran attacked Israel and what comes next . 18 July 2024 . CNN . en . Tehran’s attack targeted the Nevatim airbase, an Iranian army official said on Sunday, alleging that this is where Israel’s early April strike on the Iranian consulate was launched from..
  12. Web site: Bombs and viruses: The shadowy history of Israel's attacks on Iranian soil . 19 April 2024 . Al Jazeera . en . 19 April 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240419065423/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/4/15/bombs-and-viruses-the-shadowy-history-of-israels-attacks-on-iranian-soil . live .
  13. News: Warrick . Joby . 17 July 2018 . Papers stolen in a daring Israeli raid on Tehran archive reveal the extent of Iran's past weapons research . 19 April 2024 . Washington Post . en-US . 0190-8286 . 2 May 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230502182725/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/papers-stolen-in-a-daring-israeli-raid-on-tehran-archive-reveal-the-extent-of-irans-past-weapons-research/2018/07/15/0f7911c8-877c-11e8-8553-a3ce89036c78_story.html . live .
  14. News: 1 February 2024 . Exclusive: Iran's Guards pull officers from Syria after Israeli strikes . Reuters . 2 April 2024 . 27 March 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240327171102/https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/irans-guards-pull-officers-syria-after-israeli-strikes-2024-02-01/ . live .
  15. News: Israel says it launched 200 strikes in Syria since 2017 . 2 April 2024 . Al Jazeera . 5 September 2018 . 2 April 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240402150444/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/9/5/israel-says-it-launched-200-strikes-in-syria-since-2017 . live .
  16. News: Israel shifts to deadlier strikes on Iran-linked targets in Syria . 2 April 2024 . Reuters . 8 January 2024 . 13 March 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240313190003/https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israel-shifts-deadlier-strikes-iran-linked-targets-syria-2024-01-08/ . live .
  17. News: Syria says Israeli missiles hit Damascus, Aleppo airports . . 12 October 2023 . 18 October 2023 . 12 October 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231012130913/https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/syria-state-tv-says-israeli-attack-targets-aleppo-damascus-airports-2023-10-12/ . live .
  18. News: 14 October 2023 . Israeli attack on Syrian Aleppo airport puts it out of service . . 17 October 2023 . 16 October 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231016213820/https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israeli-attack-syrian-aleppo-airport-puts-it-out-service-2023-10-14/ . live .
  19. News: Israeli airstrike in Syria kills senior Iranian Revolutionary Guards member . 2 April 2024 . Reuters . 26 December 2023.
  20. News: 20 January 2024 . At least 4 killed in Israel strike on Damascus, Syrian media . 20 January 2024 . Ynetnews . en . 6 February 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240206082003/https://www.ynetnews.com/article/syea11wft6 . live .
  21. Web site: 20 January 2024 . Iranian general killed in Syria, says IRGC's source . 20 January 2024 . Trend.Az . en . 1 February 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240201143307/https://en.trend.az/iran/politics/3851316.html . live .
  22. News: Iran embassy strike shows Israel's growing reach as Mideast boils . 5 April 2024 . Reuters . 18 April 2024.
  23. News: Iran Smuggles Arms to West Bank, Officials Say, to Foment Unrest With Israel . The New York Times . 9 April 2024 . 18 April 2024 . 19 April 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240419040404/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/09/world/middleeast/iran-west-bank-weapons-smuggling.html . live . Fassihi . Farnaz . Bergman . Ronen . Schmitt . Eric .
  24. Web site: Alam . Hande Atay . Pourahmadi . Adam . John . Tara . Kent . Lauren . 1 April 2024 . Iran accuses Israel of killing Iranian military commander and others in airstrike on consulate in Syria . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240401233833/https://www.cnn.com/2024/04/01/middleeast/iran-syrian-consulate-attack-intl/index.html . 1 April 2024 . 1 April 2024 . CNN.
  25. live.
  26. live.
  27. Web site: Helen . Regan . Hamdi . Alkhshali . Tamara . Qiblawi . 2 April 2024 . Iran vows revenge as it accuses Israel of deadly airstrike on Syria consulate in deepening Middle East crisis . 17 April 2024 . CNN . en . 15 April 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240415025931/https://www.cnn.com/2024/04/02/middleeast/iran-response-israel-damascus-consulate-attack-intl-hnk/index.html . live .
  28. News: 1 April 2024 . Iran accuses Israel of killing generals in Syria strike . 17 April 2024 . en-GB . 1 April 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240401183051/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-68708923 . live .
  29. News: Hidler . James . Arraf . Jane . 1 April 2024 . Iranian officials accuse Israel of a deadly attack on Iran's consulate in Syria . 17 April 2024 . . 5 April 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240405194149/https://www.npr.org/2024/04/01/1242131816/iran-consulate-attack-syria-israel . live .
  30. Web site: Iranian embassy attack has Israel, Middle East on edge – DW – 04/12/2024 . 17 April 2024 . dw.com . en . 16 April 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240416145118/https://www.dw.com/en/iranian-embassy-attack-has-israel-middle-east-on-edge/a-68726461 . live .
  31. News: Wintour . Patrick . Iran vows revenge after two generals killed in Israeli strike on Syria consulate . 7 April 2024 . The Guardian . 1 April 2024 . 1 April 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240401230727/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/apr/01/israeli-airstrike-on-iranian-consulate-in-damascus-kills-irgc-commander . live .
  32. News: Taub . Amanda . 2 April 2024 . . Israel bombed an Iranian Embassy complex. Is that allowed? . limited . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240402221504/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/02/world/europe/interpreter-israel-syria-embassy.html . 2 April 2024 . 7 April 2024 . The New York Times . 0362-4331.
  33. Web site: 1 April 2024 . 6 killed as Israel strikes Iran embassy annex in Damascus: monitor . 5 April 2024 . France 24 . en . 4 April 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240404230512/https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20240401-6-killed-as-israel-strikes-iran-embassy-annex-in-damascus-monitor . live .
  34. News: Dyer . Evan . 9 April 2024 . Canadian embassy in Syria damaged in Israeli strike on Iranian embassy next door . . 10 April 2024 . 10 April 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240410005641/https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/canadian-embassy-damascus-damaged-1.7168176 . live .
  35. News: Chao-Fong . Léonie . Middle East crisis live: Iran says it holds Israel responsible for Damascus consulate attack and will 'reciprocate when we want' . 1 April 2024 . . 1 April 2024 . 1 April 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240401191127/https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2024/apr/01/israel-hamas-war-airstrike-iran-consulate-gaza-syria-live-updates#top-of-blog . live .
  36. News: Top Iranian general killed by Israeli airstrike: sources . 1 April 2024 . Axios . 1 April 2024 . 5 April 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240405101654/https://www.axios.com/2024/04/01/iranian-general-israel-airstrike-assassination . live .
  37. News: Entire IRGC command wing in Syria was eliminated in strike, Bloomberg reveals . 21 April 2024 . The Jerusalem Post . 20 April 2024 . en . 20 April 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240420194004/https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/bloomberg-reveals-that-the-entire-irgc-command-wing-in-syria-was-assassinated-798031 . live .
  38. News: Beaumont . Peter . Peter Beaumont (journalist) . Graham-Harrison . Emma . 14 April 2024 . Why Israel's Attack on Iranian Consulate in Syria Was a Gamechanger . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240415003156/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/apr/14/why-israel-attack-on-iranian-consulate-in-syria-was-a-gamechanger . 15 April 2024 . . London . 23 April 2023.
  39. Article 22 of the Convention on Diplomatic Relations states:'“The premises of the mission shall be inviolable. The agents of the receiving State may not enter them, except with the consent of the head of the mission. The receiving State is under a special duty to take all appropriate steps to protect the premises of the mission against any intrusion or damage and to prevent any disturbance of the peace of the mission or impairment of its dignity.”Those protections remain in force even if the embassy is used for criminal or military purposes. The receiving state can break off diplomatic relations, or revoke the diplomatic immunity of specific individuals and eject them from the country, but it must still “respect and protect” the embassy buildings and their contents even after the mission has closed.Israel bombed an Iranian Embassy complex. Is that allowed? New York Times2 April 2024
  40. News: Why are embassies supposed to be inviolable? . 18 April 2024 . The Economist . 15 April 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240415032301/https://www.economist.com/the-economist-explains/2024/04/09/why-are-embassies-supposed-to-be-inviolable . live .
  41. 'The experts warned that Israeli military personnel and civilian officials responsible for the attack may also have committed crimes under an international counter-terrorism treaty of 1971, the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Crimes against Internationally Protected Persons. “It is an offence to violently attack the official premises or private accommodation of a diplomat where it is likely to endanger them. Iran, Israel and Syria are all parties to the treaty and all have criminal jurisdiction over such offences,” they recalled.'
  42. https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2024/04/israel-and-iran-must-de-escalate-conflict-protect-human-rights-warn-un Israel and Iran must de-escalate conflict to protect human rights, warn UN experts
  43. News: 4 April 2024 . Iraqi PM, Iranian president discuss Israeli attack on Iranian consulate in Syria . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240403215207/https://english.news.cn/20240404/01f9af6ff91a4c84a1ee31486da42291/c.html . 3 April 2024 . 12 April 2024 . Xinhua News Agency.
  44. News: Meijer . Bart . 3 April 2024 . EU condemns attack on Iran's embassy in Damascus, urges restraint . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240406170722/https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/eu-condemns-attack-irans-embassy-damascus-urges-restraint-2024-04-03/ . 6 April 2024 . 13 April 2024 . Reuters.
  45. News: 3 April 2024 . Nicaragua condena ataque israelí en el Consulado de Irán en Damasco . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240414233005/https://jpmas.com.ni/nicaragua-condena-ataque-israeli-en-el-consulado-de-iran-en-damasco/ . 14 April 2024 . 12 April 2024 . JP+ . es.
  46. https://www.iranintl.com/en/202404028719 "UN Chief, Taliban Condemn Attack On Iran's 'Diplomatic Premise"
  47. Web site: Algeria vehemently condemns air attack on Iran's consulate in Damascus . Permanent Mission of Algeria to the UN – New York . 12 April 2024 . 16 April 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240416172550/https://pmnewyork.mfa.gov.dz/news-and-press-releases/algeria-vehemently-condemns-air-attack-on-irans-consulate-in-damascus . live .
  48. News: Armenia is deeply concerned by the recent attack on the Iranian consulate in Damascus: Foreign Ministry of Armenia . 13 April 2024 . 1Lurer . 2 April 2024 . 16 April 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240416172514/https://www.1lurer.am/en/2024/04/02/Armenia-is-deeply-concerned-by-the-recent-attack-on-the-Iranian-consulate-in-Damascus-Foreign-Minis/1102952 . live .
  49. Web site: 3 April 2024 . Press Release N. 142. Attack at Iranian consulate in Damascus . 12 April 2024 . gov.br . . 16 April 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240416172502/https://www.gov.br/mre/en/contact-us/press-area/press-releases/attack-at-iranian-consulate-in-damascus . live .
  50. News: 2 April 2024 . Belarus' MFA comments on attack on Iranian consulate in Syria . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240410232931/https://eng.belta.by/society/view/belarus-mfa-comments-on-attack-on-iranian-consulate-in-syria-157204-2024/ . 10 April 2024 . 15 April 2024 . eng.belta.by . en-EN.
  51. Web site: 2 April 2024 . China denounces Israeli strike on Iranian consulate in Syria . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240402083953/https://english.alarabiya.net/News/2024/04/02/china-denounces-israeli-strike-on-iranian-consulate-in-syria- . 2 April 2024 . 2 April 2024 . . en.
  52. News: 1 April 2024 . Cuba condena de manera "enérgica" el ataque al consulado iraní en Siria . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240403024442/https://www.infobae.com/america/agencias/2024/04/01/cuba-condena-de-manera-energica-el-ataque-al-consulado-irani-en-siria/ . 3 April 2024 . 12 April 2024 . . es.
  53. News: 2 April 2024 . Egypt condemns targeting Iranian consulate in Damascus . 12 April 2024 . . 16 April 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240416172521/https://sis.gov.eg/Story/192309/Egypt-condemns-targeting-Iranian-consulate-in-Damascus?lang=en-us . live .
  54. Web site: Pakistan, Indonesia, Malaysia condemn Israeli attack on Iranian consulate . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240410061750/https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20240403-pakistan-indonesia-malaysia-condemn-israeli-attack-on-iranian-consulate/ . 10 April 2024 . 15 April 2024.
  55. News: Italy appeals to Iran "restraint" over response to Israel's consulate attack-Xinhua . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240415201137/https://english.news.cn/20240413/fb1b4e7ae125469f8b20cc277edcd7b5/c.html . 15 April 2024 . 15 April 2024 . english.news.cn.
  56. News: Kemelova . Fatima . 3 April 2024 . Statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan Regarding the Attack on the Consular Section of Iranian Embassy in Syria . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240415095732/https://astanatimes.com/2024/04/statement-by-the-ministry-of-foreign-affairs-of-the-republic-of-kazakhstan-regarding-the-attack-on-the-consular-section-of-iranian-embassy-in-syria/ . 15 April 2024 . 15 April 2024 . The Astana Times . en.
  57. Web site: 2 April 2024 . Kuwait deplores Israeli occupation's attack on Iranian consulate in Syria . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240402083644/https://www.kuna.net.kw/ArticleDetails.aspx?id=3143842&language=en . 2 April 2024 . 8 April 2024 . Kuwait News Agency.
  58. Web site: 2 April 2024 . Lebanon denounces Israeli attack on Iranian consulate in Syria . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240409043211/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/4/2/israels-war-on-gaza-live-five-aid-workers-killed-after-delivering-food?update=2812320 . 9 April 2024 . 8 April 2024 . Al Jazeera.
  59. News: al-Harathy . Safa . 3 April 2024 . Libya condemns attack on Iranian consulate in Damascus . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240415170822/https://libyaobserver.ly/inbrief/libya-condemns-attack-iranian-consulate-damascus . 15 April 2024 . 13 April 2024 . The Libya Observer.
  60. Web site: Statement by the Government of Maldives to condemn the attack on the Iranian Consulate in Damascus, Syria . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240415201120/https://foreign.gov.mv/index.php/en/media-center/statements/statement-by-the-government-of-maldives-to-condemn-the-attack-on-the-iranian-consulate-in-damascus-syria-2024-statement-14 . 15 April 2024 . 15 April 2024 . foreign.gov.mv.
  61. News: 4 April 2024 . Mauritania Condemns Israeli Warplanes Targeting of Iranian Consulate in Damascus . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240415170946/https://ami.mr/en/archives/15655 . 15 April 2024 . 12 April 2024 . Agence mauritanienne d'information.
  62. News: 5 April 2024 . EU, Norway condemn Israel attack on Iran consulate . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240406015729/https://en.mehrnews.com/news/213528/EU-Norway-condemn-Israel-attack-on-Iran-consulate . 6 April 2024 . 15 April 2024 . Mehr News Agency . en.
  63. Web site: Archived copy . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240415200925/https://twitter.com/NorwayMFA/status/1775807952814747887 . 15 April 2024 . 15 April 2024.
  64. Web site: 1 April 2024 . Oman condemns attack on Iran consulate in Damascus . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240401235856/https://www.kuna.net.kw/ArticleDetails.aspx?id=3143826&language=en . 1 April 2024 . 1 April 2024 . Kuwait News Agency.
  65. Web site: Pakistan condemns Israeli airstrikes on Iranian consulate building in Syria-Xinhua . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240402112342/https://english.news.cn/20240402/d9130a5695184948aac029034fc0f25a/c.html . 2 April 2024 . 2 April 2024 . Xinhua News Agency.
  66. Web site: 1 April 2024 . Qatar Strongly Condemns the Targeting of Iranian Consulate in Damascus . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240409043246/https://www.mofa.gov.qa/en/statements/qatar-strongly-condemns-the-targeting-of-iranian-consulate-in-damascus . 9 April 2024 . 1 April 2024 . Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Qatar).
  67. News: 1 April 2024 . Russia accuses Israel of 'unacceptable' strike on Iranian embassy in Damascus . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240401235332/https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/russia-accuses-israel-of-unacceptable-strike-on-iranian-embassy-in-damascus/ . 1 April 2024 . 1 April 2024 . . Agence France-Presse.
  68. News: 13 April 2024 . Russian foreign minister calls Israeli strike on Iranian diplomatic mission in Damascus 'political killing' . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240413173629/https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20240413-russian-foreign-minister-calls-israeli-strike-on-iranian-diplomatic-mission-in-damascus-political-killing/ . 13 April 2024 . 13 April 2024 . Middle East Monitor.
  69. Web site: 2 April 2024 . Saudi Arabia condemns targeting of Iranian consulate in Syria . 1 April 2024 . . en.
  70. Web site: 3 April 2024 . South Africa condemns attack on Embassy of Iran in Syria . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240414232742/https://www.gov.za/news/media-statements/south-africa-condemns-attack-embassy-iran-syria-03-apr-2024 . 14 April 2024 . 12 April 2024 . gov.za . South African Government.
  71. News: Briefing Security Council on Reported Israeli Attacks against Iran's Diplomatic Premises in Syria, Top UN Official Urges Efforts to Prevent Further Escalation Meetings Coverage and Press Releases . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240407092243/https://press.un.org/en/2024/sc15650.doc.htm . 7 April 2024 . 15 April 2024 . press.un.org.
  72. News: Foreign Ministry of Tajikistan condemns Israel's airstrike on Iranian consular mission in Syria . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240415201130/https://akipress.com/news:767083:Foreign_Ministry_of_Tajikistan_condemns_Israel_s_airstrike_on_Iranian_consular_mission_in_Syria/ . 15 April 2024 . 15 April 2024 . AKIpress News Agency.
  73. News: 3 April 2024 . Tunisia condemns the Zionist entity's attack on the Iranian consulate in Damascus . 15 April 2024 . Syrian Times.
  74. News: Archived copy . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240403083332/https://www.tap.info.tn/en/Portal-Politics/17307396-tunisia-strongly . 3 April 2024 . 15 April 2024.
  75. News: 2 April 2024 . Türkiye condemns Israeli attack on Iranian diplomatic mission in Damascus . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240414232739/https://www.trtworld.com/turkiye/turkiye-condemns-israeli-attack-on-iranian-diplomatic-mission-in-damascus-17619037 . 14 April 2024 . 12 April 2024 . TRT World.
  76. Web site: 1 April 2024 . UAE Condemns Targeting of Iranian Diplomatic Mission . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240401235334/https://www.mofa.gov.ae/en/mediahub/news/2024/4/1/1-4-2024-uae-iran . 1 April 2024 . 1 April 2024 . Ministry of Foreign Affairs (United Arab Emirates).
  77. News: uz . Kun . Uzbekistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemns air strike on Iran's consulate building . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240404042435/https://kun.uz/en/news/2024/04/03/uzbekistans-ministry-of-foreign-affairs-condemns-air-strike-on-irans-consulate-building . 4 April 2024 . 15 April 2024 . Kun.uz . en.
  78. News: 2 April 2024 . El Gobierno de Venezuela condena el ataque al consulado de Irán en Siria . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240403165650/https://www.swissinfo.ch/spa/el-gobierno-de-venezuela-condena-el-ataque-al-consulado-de-ir%C3%A1n-en-siria/74852786 . 3 April 2024 . 12 April 2024 . es . Swissinfo.
  79. Web site: Toàn . Vũ . 6 April 2024 . Vietnam condemns attack on Iranian embassy in Syria . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240408213147/https://en.vietnamplus.vn/vietnam-condemns-attack-on-iranian-embassy-in-syria/284114.vnp . 8 April 2024 . 8 April 2024 . VietnamPlus . . Hanoi . Vietnam condemns the attack on the Iranian embassy in Syria. All the buildings of diplomatic representative and consular offices must be respected and protected according to international law..
  80. News: Foreign Ministry of Kyrgyzstan expresses concerns over missile attack on consular agency of Iran in Syria . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240415200914/https://akipress.com/news:766994:Foreign_Ministry_of_Kyrgyzstan_expresses_concerns_over_missile_attack_on_consular_agency_of_Iran_in_Syria/ . 15 April 2024 . 15 April 2024 . akipress.com.
  81. Web site: Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General Meetings Coverage and Press Releases . 2 April 2024 . press.un.org . 2 April 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240402121759/https://press.un.org/en/2024/db240401.doc.htm . live .
  82. News: Russia calls for UNSC session after Israel strikes Iran's diplomatic mission in Syria . 12 April 2024 . . 2 April 2024 . 11 April 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240411185220/https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20240402-russia-calls-for-unsc-session-after-israel-strikes-irans-diplomatic-mission-in-syria/ . live .
  83. News: Moskau: Iran beruft sich auf Recht zur Selbstverteidigung . 14 April 2024 . boerse.de . de.
  84. News: هشدار امیرعبداللهیان به آمریکا – تسنیم . خبرگزاری تسنیم Tasnim . fa . 14 April 2024 . 14 April 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240414174633/https://www.tasnimnews.com/fa/news/1403/01/26/3068333/%D9%87%D8%B4%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D9%85%DB%8C%D8%B1%D8%B9%D8%A8%D8%AF%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%84%D9%87%DB%8C%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A8%D9%87-%D8%A2%D9%85%D8%B1%DB%8C%DA%A9%D8%A7 . live .
  85. News: UN Security Council Fails To Condemn Strike On Iran Embassy . Iran International . 15 April 2024 . en . 15 April 2024 . 10 April 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240410174314/https://www.iranintl.com/en/202404036226 . live .
  86. News: World reacts to Iran's attack against Israel, Iran accuses some of 'double standards' . 15 April 2024 . L'Orient Today . AFP . 14 April 2024 . 16 April 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240416172531/https://today.lorientlejour.com/article/1410230/world-reacts-to-irans-attack-against-israel-iran-accuses-some-of-double-standards.html . live .
  87. News: Ravid . Barak . 2 April 2024 . U.S. tells Iran it "had no involvement" in Israel strike . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240402035614/https://www.axios.com/2024/04/02/iran-embassy-syria-israel-strike-biden . 2 April 2024 . 2 April 2024 . Axios.
  88. News: No US involvement in strike on Iran's Damascus mission, White House says . Landay . Jonathan . Ali . Idrees . Reuters . limited . 2 April 2024 . 19 April 2024 . 2 April 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240402211835/https://www.reuters.com/world/us-was-not-alerted-about-strike-irans-damascus-mission-us-officials-2024-04-02/ . live .
  89. Web site: League condemns Israeli attack on Iranian Consulate in Damascus, viewing it a violation of Syria's sovereignty . 2 April 2024 . Arab League . 2 April 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240402140549/http://www.leagueofarabstates.net/en/news/Pages/NewsDetails.aspx?RID=2671 . live .
  90. News: Jamal . Urooba . Quillen . Stephen . Israel's aid-worker killings draw global calls for 'full accountability' . 2 April 2024 . . 9 April 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240409043212/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/4/2/israels-war-on-gaza-live-five-aid-workers-killed-after-delivering-food?update=2812812 . live .
  91. Web site: Iran: Statement by the Spokesperson on the attack in Damascus . . 12 April 2024 . en . 3 April 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240403225001/https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/iran-statement-spokesperson-attack-damascus_en . live .
  92. News: EU condemns attack on Iran's embassy in Damascus, urges restraint . Meijer . Bart . Reuters . limited . 3 April 2024 . 19 April 2024 . 6 April 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240406170722/https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/eu-condemns-attack-irans-embassy-damascus-urges-restraint-2024-04-03/ . live .
  93. Web site: 2 April 2024 . Saudi Arabia condemns targeting of Iranian consulate in Syria . 1 April 2024 . . en.
  94. Web site: Reactions pour in after Israel's deadly attack on Iran consulate in Syria . 2 April 2024 . nournews . en . 9 April 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240409043214/https://nournews.ir/fa/error . live .
  95. Web site: Statement by the SCO Secretary-General in connection with the airstrike against the Iranian Consulate in Damascus . The Shanghai cooperation organisation . 15 April 2024 . en . 5 April 2024 . 16 April 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240416172953/https://eng.sectsco.org/20240405/1319512.html . live .
  96. News: 2 April 2024 . Iran vows revenge as it accuses Israel of deadly airstrike on Syria consulate in deepening Middle East crisis . 2 April 2024 . CNN . 2 April 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240402113330/https://edition.cnn.com/2024/04/02/middleeast/iran-response-israel-damascus-consulate-attack-intl-hnk/index.html . live .
  97. News: Kareem . Fahim . Susannah . George . Shane . Harris . Suzan . Haidamous . Israel braces for Tehran's response after deadly Damascus strike . . 4 April 2024 . 8 April 2024 . limited . https://archive.today/20240405155138/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/04/04/israel-iran-syria-consulate-strike/ . 5 April 2024 . live.
  98. Web site: Israel warns of consequences to any attack from Iran . 4 April 2024 . Barak . Ravid . Axios . 8 April 2024 . 7 April 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240407171825/https://www.axios.com/2024/04/04/israel-iran-warn-attack-response . live .
  99. Web site: Hider . James . Arraf . Jane . 1 April 2024 . Iranian officials accuse Israel of a deadly attack on Iran's consulate in Syria . 5 April 2024 . NPR . 5 April 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240405194149/https://www.npr.org/2024/04/01/1242131816/iran-consulate-attack-syria-israel . live .
  100. News: Peled . Sune . Engel Rasmussen . Anat . Israel Scrambles GPS Signals as Country Girds for Potential Retaliation From Iran . 5 April 2024 . . en-US . 5 April 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240405163216/https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/israel-scrambles-gps-signals-as-country-girds-for-potential-retaliation-from-iran-f653c918 . live . subscription.
  101. News: Lee . MJ . Hansler . Jennifer . US preparing for significant Iran attack on US or Israeli assets in the region as soon as next week . 5 April 2024 . 9 April 2024 . . en-US . 6 April 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240406002351/https://www.cnn.com/2024/04/05/politics/us-israel-iran-retaliation-strike/index.html . live .
  102. Web site: 2 April 2024 . Iran vows deadly suspected Israeli airstrike on its consulate in Damascus "will not go unanswered" . 9 April 2024 . . en-US . 2 April 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240402082615/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/iran-israel-syria-damascus-airstrike-consulate-revenge/ . live .
  103. Web site: Fassihi . Farnaz . 2 April 2024 . Iran Says the Deadly Israeli Strike in Damascus Will Not Go Unanswered . 2 April 2024 . . 2 April 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240402092945/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/02/world/middleeast/israel-iran-damascus-strike.html . live . limited.
  104. Web site: Hafezi . Parisa . 2 April 2024 . Iran vows revenge on Israel after Damascus embassy attack . 2 April 2024 . Reuters.
  105. Web site: UN Security Council to review Iran's demand to condemn Israeli strike . 2 April 2024 . TASS . 2 April 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240402010457/https://tass.com/world/1768937 . live .
  106. News: 2 April 2024 . Iran says Israel bombs its embassy in Syria, kills commanders . . 8 April 2024 . 1 April 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240401173544/https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/building-close-iranian-embassy-hit-syria-iranian-media-report-2024-04-01/ . live .
  107. News: Khraiche . Dana . Sykes . Patrick . Iran Tells US to Step Aside as It Readies Response to Israel . 5 April 2024 . 14 April 2024 . . en-US . 5 April 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240405224401/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-04-05/iran-tells-us-to-step-aside-as-it-readies-response-to-israel . live .
  108. News: The night Iran's missile spectacle rattled Israel . 4 May 2024 . Financial Times.
  109. News: 'True Promise': Why and how did Iran launch a historic attack on Israel? . 4 May 2024 . Al Jazeera.
  110. Web site: israel-says-attack-failed-iran-claims-success . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240414155319/https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20240414-israel-says-attack-failed-iran-claims-success/amp/ . 14 April 2024 . 16 April 2024.
  111. News: Israel says Iran launched more than 300 drones and missiles, 99% of which were intercepted . 4 May 2024 . AP News.
  112. News: US military destroyed 80 drones, 6 missiles launched from Iran, Yemen, US Centcom says . Reuters. 4 May 2024.
  113. Web site: 13 April 2024 . Iranian forces take over Israel-linked Portuguese ship MCS ARIES . 13 April 2024 . The Jerusalem Post . en . 13 April 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240413105451/https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-796777 . live .
  114. News: Iran says MSC Aries vessel seized for 'violating maritime laws' . Reuters . 15 April 2024. 4 May 2024.
  115. News: Industry appeals to UN over MSC Aries seizure . 4 May 2024 . SeatradeMarine News.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Israeli airstrike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.