Following Damascus strike, Iranian foreign minister says Netanyahu “losing his mental balance”

What happened?

An Israeli airstrike targeted and killed two Quds Force commanders, Brigadier Generals Mohammad Reza Zahedi and Mohammad Hadi Haji Rahimi, and destroyed a building adjacent to the main Iranian embassy complex in Damascus [Times of Israel].
Iran has accused Israel of violating the UN Charter, international law, and several conventions, including the Vienna Conventions on Diplomatic and Consular Relations and the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Crimes Against Internationally Protected Persons [Times of Israel].

What is the International media saying?

The Iranian Foreign Minister accused Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu of “completely losing his mental balance” [BBC].
The Biden administration’s anger and frustration over Israel’s conduct in the Gaza war has reached a peak, with the U.S. Secretary of Defense expressing outrage to Israel’s defense minister over the airstrike [The New York Times].
Experts believe Iran will seek to retaliate against Israel without triggering a broader conflict, potentially through a mix of diplomatic efforts, cyberattacks, and measured responses through proxies [BBC, The Times of India].

What is the Arab media saying?

Israel is on high alert, anticipating an Iranian retaliation for the assassination of General Zahedi in Damascus [Al-Quds Al-Arabi].
Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei issued a stern warning in Hebrew, vowing that Israel would regret its decision to bomb the Iranian consulate in Damascus, and threatened that Israel “will be slapped” for its assault [Palestine Chronicle].
The airstrike killed at least 12 people, including two Iranian generals, a member of Hezbollah, and four Syrian citizens, and seriously wounded 13 others [Ya Libnan, Iran Front Page].
Iran condemned the attack as a violation of international law and vowed to respond decisively, while holding the U.S. responsible as Israel’s biggest supporter [Ya Libnan, Iran Front Page].
The Israeli Air Force has begun calling up its reserve forces in preparation for a potential Iranian retaliation [Al-Quds Al-Arabi].
Israel fears that Iran may carry out operations within Israel or against its diplomatic representations worldwide [Al-Quds Al-Arabi].

What is the Israeli media saying?

Khaled Hamada, the Lebanese commentator, claimed that Tehran will not respond militarily to the assassination of Mohammad Reza Zahedin, the commander of the Quds Force in Syria and Lebanon [Ma’ariv].
Babak Yakhaki, from the “Iran International” TV station, stated that Iran’s enemies are “very, very eager” for revenge due to several assassinations attributed to Israel [Ma’ariv].
Hamada emphasized that the attack on the Iranian consulate in Syria is more dramatic than the assassination of any particular senior figure, and that it harms the Iranian entrenchment in Syria and indicates that even civilian assets are not protected [Ma’ariv].
Hamada believes that there will be no Iranian response, as Iran is interested in preserving its influence under American auspices and risks if it considers activity that could go beyond the ordinary [Ma’ariv].
Iran has issued multiple threats since their consulate in Damascus was struck, hinting at escalating tensions [i24 News].

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