Senior sources in the Iranian regime told Reuters on April 4 that Tehran would provide a “serious response” to the killing of its high-ranking commander, suggesting however that it would seek to avoid a direct clash with Israel and the United States.
Israel has not officially taken responsibility for the attack in Damascus which killed Brig. Gen. Mohammad Zahedi, but four officials told The New York Times that Jerusalem ordered the strike.
An adviser to Iranian leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Sunday that Israeli embassies are no longer safe, Iran’s semi-official Tasnim News Agency reported.
An Iranian retaliatory attack could include “a swarm of Shahed loitering drones and cruise missiles,” according to US intelligence, CBS News reported on April 5.
Several Israeli embassies around the world have been temporarily closed, diplomats recalled and officials told not to come to consular buildings for fear of an Iranian attack.
Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said on Sunday that Israel is ready for any scenario that may develop regarding a threatened Iranian response.
The IDF has been placed on high alert, resulting in combat soldiers’ weekend leaves being cancelled and the military calling up additional reserve soldiers to the IDF Aerial Defence Array.
