Israel was once again forewarned by Iran’s top leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, on Wednesday that it “will be punished” for an airstrike from Damascus that claimed the lives of seven Revolutionary Guardsmen, including two generals.
“The evil regime made a mistake in this regard; it must be punished and will be punished,” Khamenei said in a televised speech after Eid-ul-Fitr prayers in Tehran.
The five-story consular annex of the Iranian embassy in Syria was destroyed on April 1. According to Khamenei, this strike violated international agreements that guarantee the inviolability of diplomatic properties.
“The consulate and embassy offices in any country are the territory of that country,” he said. “When they attacked our consulate, it means they attacked our territory.”
Leader Khamenei has led Iranian officials in a series of pledges to exact revenge for the strike, which was largely attributed to longtime adversary Israel.
Yahya Rahim Safavi, a key advisor to him, issued a warning on Sunday stating that Israeli embassies were “no longer safe”.
In response to Iran’s threats of retaliation, Israel announced last week that it was bolstering its defenses and suspending combat unit leave.
Iran and Israel have been engaged in a covert conflict for many years since Iran does not acknowledge Israel.
Iran accuses Israel of being responsible for a string of killings and sabotage operations aimed at its nuclear program.
