Iran’s Response to Israeli Raid on Iranian Consulate in Damascus Leads to Escalated Tensions in Southern Lebanon with Hezbollah Bombings

In response to the killing of several Revolutionary Guard leaders in an Israeli raid on the Iranian consulate in Damascus, tensions continue to rise in southern Lebanon with bombings along the border between the Israeli army and Hezbollah.

Iran has sent a written message to the United States warning it not to be drawn into Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s trap and demanding that the US step aside while Iran prepares to respond to the attack on its consulate. According to a senior US administration official, the US is actively preparing for a major attack by Iran in the next week in response to the consulate raid. The official believes the attack is “inevitable,” a sentiment shared by Israeli officials.

Meanwhile, Iran continued its threats to respond to the attack in Damascus. Iranian Chief of Staff Mohammad Bagheri stated that the attack will not go unanswered and that Iran will determine the timing and nature of the response with maximum damage. Lebanese Hezbollah claimed to target nine Israeli military sites off