Iran vows revenge after Israel's consulate strike
An Israeli strike demolished a consulate in Syria, escalating tensions


What happened
An Israeli airstrike Monday on Iran's consulate in Damascus, Syria, killed seven officers of Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps, including Brig. Gen. Mohammad Reza Zahedi, head of operations in Syria and Lebanon, and his deputy, said Iranian state media. Israel, as customary, had no comment on the attack.
Who said what
Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad condemned Monday's "heinous terrorist attack," and Iranian Ambassador to Syria Hossein Akbari threatened a "harsh" response. Hezbollah, Iran's proxy force in Lebanon, said Israel's "crime" will be met with "punishment and revenge." The U.S. "had no involvement" or advance knowledge of the strike, a National Security Council spokesperson said to Axios.
The commentary
Israel has struck Iranian and Hezbollah targets in Syria for years, but "Monday's attack stood out both because of its location — in a diplomatic compound, traditionally exempted from hostilities — and because of the seniority of the apparent target," The Washington Post said. While the violence between Israel and Iran is "not yet an all-out regional conflict," Israel appears to be working to "expand" the battlefield, International Crisis Group's Ali Vaez said.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
What next?
Monday's "reprehensible" attack could inflame the region and "potentially ignite more conflict involving other nations," said Iran's U.N. ambassador, Zahra Ershadi. Iran will strike back, but will it "target Israel, Israelis, U.S. regional assets … or something else?" said Charles Lister at Washington's Middle East Institute.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
Sweden's Soft Hooligans: the fans who brought 'good vibes' to the Euros
Under the Radar Formed to create a fun fan atmosphere, the Swedish football supporter group has been bringing the party to the championship
-
Crossword: July 18, 2025
The Week's daily crossword
-
Codeword: July 18, 2025
The Week's daily codeword puzzle
-
Fed chair Powell in Trump's firing line
Speed Read The president considers removing Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell
-
Trump trashes supporters over Epstein files
speed read The president lashed out on social media following criticism of his administration's Jeffrey Epstein investigation
-
Judge nixes wiping medical debt from credit checks
Speed Read Medical debt can now be included in credit reports
-
Grijalva wins Democratic special primary for Arizona
Speed Read She will go up against Republican nominee Daniel Butierez to fill the US House seat her father held until his death earlier this year
-
US inflation jumps as Trump tariffs 'bite'
Speed Read Consumer prices are climbing and the inflation rate rose to its highest level in four months
-
SCOTUS greenlights mass DOE firings
Speed Read The Supreme Court will allow the Trump administration to further shrink the Education Department
-
Cuomo announces third-party run for NYC mayor
Speed Read He will go up against progressive Democratic powerhouse Zohran Mamdani and incumbent Mayor Eric Adams
-
Secret Service 'failures' on Trump shooting
Speed Read Two new reports detail security breakdowns that led to attempts on the president's life