Tehran: Iran somberly bid farewell to seven officers during a poignant funeral ceremony held on Friday, honoring those lost in a suspected Israeli airstrike targeting the Iranian embassy compound in Syria. The attack, unprecedented in its audacity, has ignited a fervent vow of retaliation from Tehran.
State television broadcasted scenes of grief-stricken demonstrators carrying portraits of the fallen officers, alongside banners bearing impassioned slogans such as “Death to Israel” and “Death to America”. This poignant occasion coincided with the annual observance of Quds (Jerusalem) Day, an event marked by Iran with state-sponsored rallies that echo resounding support for Palestine while condemning Israel.
Reports from Iranian media revealed the presence of Ziad al-Nakhala, leader of the Palestinian militant group Islamic Jihad, at the rally in Tehran, underscoring the solidarity shared among anti-Israel factions. Among the casualties of Monday’s airstrike in Damascus was Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Zahedi, a distinguished figure within Iran’s Revolutionary Guard (IRGC), adding gravity to an already dire situation.
This attack represents the boldest and deadliest in a series of strikes targeting Iranian personnel in Syria since December, prompting Tehran to vow severe reprisals. The escalating tensions have cast a shadow of impending conflict, prompting Israel to take preemptive measures by suspending leave for all combat units and bolstering air defense capabilities.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a stern warning, declaring that his nation would not hesitate to retaliate against any threat or act of aggression. As the coffins of two fallen officers were solemnly displayed in the heart of Tehran, mourners raised the Palestinian flag, symbolizing unity in the face of adversity. The remains of all seven officers are slated for burial later in the day.
Iran’s Jerusalem Day rallies, an annual fixture held on the last Friday of Ramadan, serve as a potent reminder of the unresolved Palestinian-Israeli conflict. With fervent aspirations for a future Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, the demonstrations underscore Iran’s unwavering support for the Palestinian cause.
