Iran’s multi-pronged ‘diplomatic’ offensive after Damascus strike

Iran is trying to mobilize this diplomatic support before lashing out with its promised “retaliation.” In the past, Iran has attacked Erbil in Iraq when it wanted to “retaliate.”

Iran is engaged in the first part of its response to an airstrike this week in Damascus, which Iran has blamed on Israel. It is not only slamming Israel, it is also blaming the United States. This shows how Iran is seeking to link the incident that killed several key Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps members to a wider regional struggle in which Iran is engaged in trying to reduce US influence in the region.

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian has highlighted the attack on the consulate compound in Damascus and also sought to spotlight what Iran claims is the “American administration’s responsibility.”

Iran buried members of the IRGC that were killed in Damascus on Monday. This included Quds Force commander for operations in Syria and Lebanon Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Zahedi, his deputy, and five of their accompanying officers, according to Iran’s pro-government Fars News.

Meanwhile, Iranian president Ibrahim Raisi phoned Syrian regime leader Bashar al-Assad and “lashed out at the West for continuing to provide financial and military support to Israel amid the Gaza war, and stressed the Zionist regime does not adhere to any of the humanitarian and international principles,” according to a second report at Fars.

"There is no doubt that Zionists and their supporters are responsible,” the Iranian said. “The Syrian president stressed that the Zionist regime seeks to escape from the quagmire it is caught in by the Palestinian resistance in the besieged enclave and emphasized the need to support the axis of resistance,” the report noted.

Meanwhile, Iran is seeking to have Israel condemned by the United Nations. In a statement to the UN, the Iranian envoy said “Yesterday, we urgently notified the Security Council members of yet another flagrant violation of international law committed by the Israeli regime within Syria territory.

As reflected in our letter, on 1st April 2024, our diplomatic premises in Damascus came under terrorist attacks carried out by the Israeli regime. Seven missile airstrikes from the occupied Golan Heights, specifically and intentionally targeted the diplomatic premises of Iran, including the consular section building and the ambassador's residence.” The Iranian envoy said that “the final and accurate death toll remains uncertain as the entire diplomatic premise has been destroyed, with individuals trapped under the rubble.”

Iran warned UN Security Council Iran wants the United Nations Security Council to do more in the wake of the airstrike. Iran has also sought to get Russia’s support and also to mobilize condemnations in the Gulf. Gulf countries have often reconciled or normalized with the Syrian regime in the last two years.

This means that they have a vested interest in condemning an attack on a diplomatic post in Damascus. The fact is the building next to the Iranian consulate was not a purely diplomatic site, as the IRGC used it. However, from the standpoint of the Gulf states, it is worthwhile to appear to put out statements condemning the strike. Iran and Saudi Arabia also reconciled last year, meaning Riyadh has an interest in appearing to condemn the attack.

Iran is trying to mobilize this diplomatic support first before lashing out with its promised “retaliation.” In the past, Iran has attacked Erbil in Iraq when it wanted to “retaliate.”

In 2020, it fired ballistic missiles targeting a base in Iraq in retaliation for the US killing of IRGC Quds Force head Qasem Soleimani. Iran has already mobilized its militias and proxies in various countries since October 7 to attack Israel and attack US forces in Iraq and Syria.

In addition, the Iranian-backed Kataib Hezbollah targeted US forces in Jordan in January. As such, the Iranian claim of “retaliating” is a bit of a stretch because it is Iran that has been attacking throughout the region.

However, Iran wants the sympathy of other countries, and it wants an official record of this attack in Damascus so it can claim a right to respond. Iran also wants to leverage this with Russia, China, and other states.

Iran has targeted and recounter’d embassies since the late 90s. They swept up from Venezuela throughout all S.America in the early 2000s with high ranking officers and terrorists. Iran has never actually had to do anything except plan terrorist attacks on Diplomatic Missions, Americans overseas, and American business interests as a form of blackmail which worked well in the past - I believe the US has been putting military resources in place thorughout the globe to counter Iranian terrorism. Now America has made pre-war preparations to counter Iran’s greatest terrorist strength. Blowing up an embassy is the FIRST of many if a real war with Iran breaks out. They will be declared a terrorist state unworthy of diplomatic missions which they have misused forever.d

Iran has declared war on the US and Israel in 1979. They have said Israel has no right to exist.

This attack killing a man engaged in terrorism is like throwing down the gunlat. Israel (and the US by extension), has put Iran on notice that legimitacy and survival of the Iranian regime is now at Stake. Iran has never faced an ultimatum like this since 1979, other than Regean keeping their embassy under lock and key while they improsioned Nick who later died in the PI.

The time has come to deal with Iran. The Biden era politicians are finished this November, and they have an old score to settle with the Mad Mullah’s. Me thinks we are primed for regime change in Iran.

Iran can do whatever she wants. The die is cast. There is no turning back now. The avoidance of this moment by the US and Israel is past. If the Hooties were not enough, they are proof that coexistance with this Iranian leadership is impossible and a war must be fought.

So, you’re for another war?
How thin should this country’s military be spread out?
I’m finding this view to be more and more outrageous, especially after spending 4 years with Trump. He was able to reel in the hostilities coming from N Korea. Calm things down in the Middle East. The whole ‘Islamic terrorism’ stopped being at the forefront.
Sorry, I’m sick of it. There is another way and what this administration is doing is the same old thing. I had thought war was a normal part of life till Trump came around. It is not and does not have to be.

Iran has been crossing the lines since Carter. I believe that the US has not choice with Iran. A country that declared war on us in 1979 has never relented. Iran has killed Marines in Beruit, and soldiers in Iran. They are the entire reason Hezbolla exists. They use Hamas.

I lived in Israel and know first hand Iran will never live in peace, they are the Islamic House of War and the return Madi of Islam. He can only come thru war and Iran strives for this.

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.