Iranian General Warns That No Israeli Embassy Is Safe

Israel is preparing for a potential Iranian response to the bombing of Iran's consulate in Damascus

An Iranian general warned on Sunday that no Israeli embassy is safe as Israel is preparing for a potential Iranian response to its bombing of Iran’s consulate in Syria.

“None of the Zionist regime’s embassies are safe anymore, and therefore, it has so far closed down 28 of its embassies out of fear,” said Maj. Gen. Yahya Rahim Safavi, an advisor to Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Safavi appeared to be referring to Israeli media reports that said 28 Israeli embassies and consulates have been temporarily closed due to fears of an Iranian attack. “They dream of dying every night and they are the most fearful creatures,” Safavi said.

The Israeli bombing of Iran’s consulate killed 13 people, including a senior Iranian general and six other members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Iran has killed several members of the IRGC in Syria since October 7, but the brazen attack on a diplomatic facility marked a huge escalation in its attacks on Iranians in the region.

Iran is usually very restrained in its responses to Israeli attacks, but the consulate bombing could provoke something big, which could be exactly what Israel wants as it appears to be seeking a regional war that would bring direct US intervention.

US officials told NBC News that they are concerned Iran might be planning to hit targets inside Israel or an Israeli consulate building in the region. They said the strikes could be launched using a swarm of drones or land-attack cruise missiles.

On Friday, Mohammad Jamshidi, an aide to Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, said Tehran told the US not to get involved if Iran responds. “In a written message, the Islamic Republic of Iran warns US leadership not to get dragged in Netanyahu’s trap for US: Stay away so you won’t get hurt,” he wrote on X.

Jamshidi said that in response to the message, the US asked Iran not to target American facilities, but the White House denied his characterization of the exchange of messages, calling it “Iranian spin.”

We received a message from Iran following the strike in Damascus. In response, we made clear that we were not behind the strike. We also warned Iran to not use the strike as a pretext to further escalate in the region or attack US facilities or personnel,” a Biden administration official told NBC.

Author: Dave DeCamp

Dave DeCamp is the news editor of Antiwar.com, follow him on Twitter @decampdave.