EU’s Borrell, Iranian FM condemn Israeli attack on Iran’s consulate in Damascus

EU’s Borrell and Iranian FM condemn Israeli strike on Iran’s consulate, call for de-escalation; Israeli army halts leave, mulls shelter openings amid tensions

European Union Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell and Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian discussed Israel’s attack this week on Iran’s consulate in Syria’s capital in a phone call.

Borrell condemned the assault on the Iranian diplomatic facility in Damascus and emphasized the inviolability of diplomatic premises and personnel according to international law and treaties.

“I spoke with Iranian FM Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, reiterating our condemnation of the attack on an Iranian diplomatic facility in Damascus, which resulted in several casualties. We need to avoid further escalation,” Borrell stated. 

Israeli army suspends combat forces’ home leave 

In response to heightened tensions following this week’s attack on the Iranian Consulate in Syria, the Israeli army has halted home leave for its combat forces.

According to an official army statement Thursday, this decision was made “in accordance with the situational assessment.”

“The IDF is at war and the deployment of forces is constantly reviewed as needed,” the statement added.

The Israeli strike resulted in the deaths of seven individuals, including two generals from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) – Brig. Gen. Mohammad Reza Zahedi, former head of the elite Quds Force in Lebanon and Syria until 2016 and Gen. Mohammad Hadi Haji Rahimi, a deputy commander in the Quds Force.

Amid concerns over potential retaliatory actions from Iran, Israeli authorities are reportedly considering the opening of shelters.

Additionally, the Israeli army has called up reserve soldiers to its Aerial Defense Array as a precautionary measure against attacks from Iran, according to local media reports.

Source: Newsroom

#haber#