Apr. 2, 2024

Inside story: Israel declares war on Iran’s warrior-diplomats

Iran/Security

Israel’s suspected bombing of what Iran describes as its diplomatic premises in Damascus, killing Mohammad Reza Zahedi—the top Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commander in the Levant—is a major escalation with reverberations on multiple dimensions.

 

Changing the rules of the game

In legal and operational terms, the bombing raises major questions about the state of international norms protecting diplomatic personnel and premises. Iran has described the targeted building, located next to the embassy, as a consulate that also housed the ambassador’s residence. Israeli sources have indicated that the site was bombed as members of the IRGC’s expeditionary Quds Force were meeting with Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ). If the building is recognized as a diplomatic site, such a gathering would be protected under international conventions.

Equally importantly, Israel has in past months signaled that...

Register for free to continue reading.

Registering helps us deliver original coverage of the region's most important issues.

Ali Hashem
Ali Hashem
Ali Hashem
Ali Hashem is a journalist who has covered Iranian and regional affairs for the past 15 ... Full Bio
Mohammad Ali Shabani
Mohammad Ali Shabani
Mohammad Ali Shabani
Mohammad Ali Shabani is the Editor of Amwaj. media. ... Full Bio
فارسیPersian
فارسیPersian
عربيArabic
عربيArabic