Israeli Airstrike in Syria Kills Senior IRGC Adviser, Iran Reports
An Israeli airstrike near Damascus, Syria, has reportedly led to the death of a high-ranking Iranian advisor. According to Iran's state media, the airstrike on Monday claimed the life of Sayyed Razi Mousavi, a senior figure in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). His death was confirmed by three security sources, as reported by Reuters.
The Iranian state television broke its regular programming to announce Mousavi's death, highlighting his status as one of the longstanding advisers for the IRGC in Syria. The broadcast emphasized Mousavi's close association with Qassem Soleimani, the late head of the IRGC's elite Quds Force, who was killed in a U.S. drone strike in Iraq in 2020.
Iranian ambassador in Damascus, Hossein Akbari, informed state television that Mousavi was serving as a diplomat in the embassy. He was reportedly killed by Israeli missiles while returning home from work.
The incident has drawn strong reactions from Iranian officials. President Ebrahim Raisi described the assassination as a display of Israel's "frustration and weakness" in the region, vowing that Israel would face consequences. "This act is a sign of the Zionist regime's frustration and weakness in the region for which it will certainly pay the price," Raisi was quoted as saying.
The IRGC also issued a statement through state TV, proclaiming that Israel would suffer repercussions for killing the adviser. "The usurper and savage Zionist regime will pay for this crime," the IRGC stated.
Additionally, Nasser Kanaani, a spokesperson for Iran's Foreign Ministry, declared on state TV that Iran reserves the right to respond to this action "at the appropriate time and place."
As of now, there has been no immediate comment from Israel’s military regarding Mousavi’s death.
This airstrike is the latest in a series of attacks targeting Iran-linked elements in Syria, a pattern that has persisted for years. Iran's influence in Syria has grown significantly since its support of President Bashar al-Assad in the Syrian civil war, which began in 2011. The ongoing tensions and military actions in the region continue to draw international attention, underscoring the complex geopolitical landscape in the Middle East.