Iranian Chief of Staff Major General Mohammad Bagheri (Reuters)
Iranian Chief of Staff Major General Mohammad Bagheri described the attack on the Iranian consulate in Damascus as a crazy step, and held Washington primarily responsible for its implementation.
Bagheri said - during his speech during the funeral ceremony of the leader of the Revolutionary Guard, Mohammad Reza Zahedi, that Iran will not remain without a response to the attack, and that its revenge will be inevitable and at the time it determines.
Commenting on the Israeli war on the Gaza Strip, Bagheri said that Israel did not achieve any of its goals and was unable to eliminate the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas).
Last Monday, Israel targeted the Iranian consulate in Damascus in a raid, which led to the killing of 7 Iranian officers, including the senior commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Zahedi.
In the same context, the New York Times quoted two Iranian officials as saying that Tehran had put its forces on high alert and a decision had been made to respond directly to create deterrence.
On the other hand, an Israeli official told the newspaper that Israeli analysts concluded that Iran would attack Israel itself, not through Hezbollah.
An American official also stated that the United States is on high alert for a possible Iranian attack that could target Israeli or American assets in the region.
CNN quoted a US State Department spokesman as saying that the United States warned Iran against using the Israeli raid in Damascus as a pretext to attack American personnel or facilities.
The spokesman explained that the warning was issued after receiving a message from Iran.
Closing embassies and consulates
Earlier on Friday, CBS reported, based on American intelligence information, that the timing and goal of the Iranian response are not yet known.
She added that Israel and the United States are convinced that Iran is preparing to respond to the bombing of its consulate in Damascus, but it is not known whether Tehran will respond from Iraq, Syria, or Iranian territory.
Sources suggest that Iran may target an Israeli diplomatic facility, and that this may happen between now and the end of Ramadan.
The network also quoted American intelligence information that Iran is planning to launch a retaliatory attack that includes Shahed drones and cruise missiles.
In anticipation of a possible Iranian response, the Jerusalem Post newspaper, quoting an Israeli source, said that 28 Israeli embassies and consulates were temporarily closed due to threats from Iran and its agents.
Sources confirmed to the newspaper that Israeli embassies around the world have been placed on high alert after increasing threats of an Iranian attack on Israeli diplomats.
According to initial reports, this decision, which Israel denied, was taken in agreement between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Israeli Shin Bet.
Source: Al Jazeera + agencies