In the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran, the killing of General Zahedi and other senior officers of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard in Damascus is a provocative act that Israel must be cautious about not escalating. This attack marks a dangerous escalation in the conflict and highlights the controversial nature of targeted attacks on foreign military leaders.
Israel has conducted a total of 29 airstrikes in Syria this year, mostly targeting facilities of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, Lebanese Hezbollah, and other Iran-aligned militias. While previous attacks did not garner much attention, the thirtieth attack this year was different as it targeted a building next to the Iranian embassy in Damascus, which housed the consular department. Such an attack is unprecedented and marks a dangerous escalation in the conflict between Israel and Iran.
The attack on the consulate building specifically targeted Mohammed Reza Zahedi, Iran’s top general in Lebanon and Syria, along with his deputy and other officers of the Quds Brigades. The killing of Zahedi marks the highest-ranking Iranian officer to be killed since General Qassem Soleimani, highlighting the risks and taboos associated with such actions. Israel was aware of these risks but chose to proceed with the attack, seeking to escalate tensions and provoke a response from Iran.
While both Iran and Hezbollah have shown a reluctance to engage in a full-scale war, Israel may be speculating that Iran will avoid further escalation following this attack. However, this strategy is risky as it could lead to unintended consequences such as pushing Iran to respond more aggressively potentially leading to a conflict that neither side desires. Therefore, Israel must tread carefully and consider all consequences before taking any actions in this ongoing conflict.
In conclusion, while Israel may believe that attacking senior officials will lead to a weakening of Tehran’s influence in Syria, such attacks are dangerous as they can lead to an unintended consequence or even retaliation from Tehran or its allies. Therefore, it is essential for Israel to exercise caution when making decisions that could impact regional stability or cause further tensions with Tehran.
