CIA Warns of Potential Iranian Retaliation Against Israel, Following Airstrike

Edited by: Fern Sidman

The recent destruction of an Iranian consulate in Syria by an apparent Israeli airstrike has prompted warnings from the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) to Israel of possible retaliatory actions from Iran within the next 48 hours, as was reported by several foreign news agencies.  Media reports indicate that the airstrike resulted in the deaths of numerous Iranian officials and generals, escalating tensions in the already volatile region.

Iranian leaders have vowed to retaliate against Israel for the attack, with President Ebraham Raisi asserting that the assault “will not remain without answer, ” according to a report on Thursday that appeared on the India TV web site.  This rhetoric has raised concerns about the potential for further escalation and military confrontation between the two adversaries.

The United States, amidst these developments, had expressed apprehension that the Israeli airstrike could trigger new attacks on American troops by Iranian-backed terrorists in Iraq and Syria. As was noted in the India TV report, Lt Gen Alexus Grynkewich, the top US Air Force commander for the Middle East, emphasized the gravity of the situation, highlighting the potential implications of Israel’s escalation for regional stability.

Furthermore, diplomatic tensions have been further exacerbated by the United States, Britain, and France’s opposition to a Russian-drafted UN Security Council statement condemning the attack on Iran’s embassy compound in Syria, as per the information contained in the India TV report. The refusal to endorse the statement underscores the complexity of the situation, with many details surrounding the incident still unclear and Israel yet to claim responsibility for the airstrike.

The strike in Damascus resulted in the deaths of seven high-ranking Iranian military officials, including senior commanders of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and an officer of the Hezbollah militia in Lebanon.  India TV also reported that among those killed in the airstrike were Mohammad Reza Zahedi, an IRGC senior commander within its Quds Force, a specialized unit responsible for foreign espionage and paramilitary operations. Additionally, Hezbollah has expressed condolences for Zahedi’s death and criticized Israel for believing that eliminating leaders can halt the momentum of people’s resistance. Furthermore, Hussein Youssef, a member of Hezbollah, was also among those killed in the attack.

The report on India TV indicated that Grynkewich cautioned that Iran’s attribution of responsibility to the US for Israeli actions could jeopardize the current pause in terror attacks on US forces, which has been in effect since early February.

In response to the airstrike, the Biden administration has emphasized that it had no prior knowledge of the operation targeting the Iranian consulate. However, India TV reported that despite this assertion, the United States maintains a close military relationship with Israel, being its primary ally and a major supplier of weaponry, the India TV report said. Reports indicate that around 70 percent of Israeli weapon imports are sourced from the United States, contributing significantly to Israel’s defense capabilities.

Analysts have raised concerns that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s recent expansion of targeted strikes against regional adversaries, including Iranian security operatives and leaders, could exacerbate tensions in the Middle East. India TV reported that this escalation may potentially draw the United States into a deeper regional conflict, given its close ties with Israel and the repercussions of such actions on broader geopolitical dynamics.

In light of these developments, various arms of the Iranian government have issued warnings, indicating their intention to hold the United States accountable for the airstrike, the India TV report said.  The situation underscores the complex interplay of regional dynamics and the potential for broader implications on regional stability and international relations.

According to reports from the New York Times, the airstrike is viewed as a strategic blow to Tehran, aimed at weakening the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). However, India TV reported that some officials, including Ralph Goff, a former senior CIA official with experience in the Middle East, have criticized the attack as “reckless,” warning that it may lead to further escalation by Iran and its proxies.

Sabrina Singh, a spokesperson for the Pentagon, reiterated that the United States played no part in the strike and emphasized the desire to avoid further escalation in the region. “Tensions being high in the region, we wanted to make it very clear in private channels that the US had no involvement in the strike in Damascus,” she stated, according to the India TV report.

Meanwhile, Iranian leaders have vowed revenge following the apparent Israeli airstrike. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei denounced Israel’s actions, stating that they would not save them from defeat. As per the India TV report, he emphasized that Israel’s defeats on the battlefield, particularly in Gaza, would ultimately lead to its collapse. Iranian officials have echoed these sentiments, promising retaliation against Israel for its aggression in Syria.

The funeral for the slain Revolutionary Guard members in Syria has brought further attention to the escalating tensions between Iran and Israel. Reports indicate that the funeral took place at a holy Shiite shrine in Damascus, underscoring the significance of the event within the Shiite community, as was indicated in the India TV report. Additionally, it has also been reported that the main funeral ceremony is scheduled to take place on Friday in Iran, coinciding with the annual al-Quds Day rally, which is a prominent pro-Palestine event.

The airstrike on the Iranian diplomatic site marks a significant escalation in Israel’s targeting of Iranian military officials and their allies in Syria. India TV said that this attack, described as the deadliest on an Iranian diplomatic site in decades, highlights the intensity of the ongoing conflict in the region.

In recent months, Iran-backed militias had refrained from attacking US bases, likely in an attempt to de-escalate tensions following a drone strike in Jordan that resulted in the deaths of three US troops. However, the retaliatory airstrikes launched by the US against targets in Iraq and Syria indicate the complex dynamics at play in the region.

Israel’s escalation of strikes on Iran-linked terror targets in Syria and Lebanon since the outbreak of war in October has heightened tensions further. Reports suggest that Israel has conducted close to 25 airstrikes in Syria alone, targeting IRGC operatives, Hezbollah members, and other Iranian proxy groups, according to the information in the India TV report.

Amidst growing criticism of US military support for Israel’s actions in Gaza, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller has emphasized Israel’s long-term need for weapons to defend itself against Iran and Iranian-allied Hezbollah, the report on India TV explained. Israel’s consistent efforts to target Iranian proxies and disrupt their activities in the region have been framed as essential for safeguarding Israeli security interests.

The actions of key players, including Israel, Iran, and the United States, will continue to shape the dynamics of the conflict and have far-reaching implications for the broader geopolitical landscape.