After Damascus strike, Iran's goal: Isolate Israel, deter the US - analysis
| Published date | 06 April 2024 |
| Author | SETH J. FRANTZMAN |
| Publication title | Jerusalem Post, The: Web Edition Articles (Israel) |
Washington said on Tuesday that it was not involved in the airstrike, which hit a building next to the Iranian consulate in Damascus. Tehran views that as an attack on Iranian soil and a major breach of the concept of consulates being off-limits from attacks.
The Iranian Revolution took place amid the storming of the US Embassy in Tehran and the taking of hostages by the regime, but Iran apparently doesn't see that as being a similar event.
On Friday and Saturday, the IRGC continued to say it would respond. It claimed that the Quds (Jerusalem) Day event showed that "the issue of Palestine remains the first issue of the Muslim world and that of the awakened non-Muslim societies. It reaffirms the righteousness of the Palestinian people including the oppressed Gazans."
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Iran's Chief of Staff of Iranian Armed Forces Maj.-Gen. Mohammad Baqeri claimed that the US is also responsible for the strike on Iran's consulate. Tehran thus continues to threaten America and claim that it is an accomplice in the attack.
"Gen. Baqeri reiterated that the US should be held accountable for the Israeli regime's carnage in Gaza and other crimes the regime is committing in the region out of desperation," Fars News reported.
Iran's top commander also claims that Israel has become "bogged down" in Gaza. He compared this to how Israel was portrayed before October 7, when it was seen as projecting power throughout the region. Iran wants Gaza to become a "quagmire" for Israel. Israel has been fighting Hamas for six months. Baqeri is openly saying that the October 7 attack was the "tip of the iceberg regarding the prowess of the Palestinians," Fars News says.
Iran's plan is to drag Israel into a long Gaza war and isolate it in the region. October 7 was one part of the plan. Now the Islamic Republic is also pushing proxies to attack the Jewish state on multiple fronts. For instance, it has prodded Iraqi militias to target Eilat with drones.
Hezbollah joining the war
As Iran tries to isolate Israel and still hold out the chance it could retaliate against the US for the Damascus incident, it also had a message for America. "Iran advises US not to fall into Israeli trap," the same Fars News said on Saturday, October 6.
"Tehran has warned Washington to stay away from any potential clash between itself and the Zionist regime, while the United...
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