Iran claims that Israel killed the Iranian military commander in an airstrike on the Syrian consulate in Damascus

A senior commander within Iran's Revolutionary Guard has been killed in an airstrike targeting the nation's consulate compound in Damascus, Syria, as confirmed by Iranian officials and state-linked media outlets. The responsibility for the attack has been attributed to Israel by these sources.

Mohammed Reza Zahedi, a prominent figure in the Iranian Quds Force, was among the casualties in the incident, according to Iran's foreign ministry.

Iranian ambassador Hossein Akbari asserted during a press briefing in Damascus that the consulate facility "was subjected to an assault involving six missiles launched from Israeli F-35 fighter jets."

Akbari further stated, "Between five and seven individuals lost their lives in the assault. I was present in my office within the embassy premises at the time and personally witnessed the devastation."

He also mentioned that both Iranian diplomatic personnel and military advisors were among the victims of the attack, with their identities set to be disclosed later. Additionally, Akbari indicated in a subsequent interview that two Syrian police officers sustained injuries.

According to reports from the Syrian state media outlet, the Syrian Arab News Agency, the strike was described as "an aggressive act by Israel," which caused significant damage to a building located in the Mezzeh neighborhood of Damascus.

Zahedi, the commander who was killed, had previously served in various high-ranking positions within the IRGC, including as the commander of its ground forces, the head of its air force, and as the deputy commander of its operations.