Israel on Alert for Iranian Strikes After Damascus Blast

Latest Developments

Israel reinforced its air defenses on April 3 amid threats from Tehran to avenge the killing of senior Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) officers in Damascus. The IDF announced that, following a situational assessment, reservists were being called up to fortify its Aerial Defense Array. The statement did not specify the causes.

Iran has signaled its intent to attack Israel directly since General Mohammed Reza Zahedi, his deputy, and five other IRGC officers died in a blast in Damascus on April 1. The Iranians said the incident took place at their embassy in the Syrian capital — despite evidence that the target was in fact an IRGC installation — and blamed Israel, which has neither denied nor confirmed responsibility.

“The evil Zionist regime will be punished by our courageous men,” Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said on X on April 2.

Expert Analysis

“Iran has long preferred to pursue its jihad against the Jewish state indirectly, through dispensable Palestinian, Lebanese, or Syrian proxies. But having telegraphed to the world that its top terrorist commanders were targeted at one of its most important overseas bases, it may now feel duty-bound to carry out some kind of frontal assault. The Israeli military is on high alert and is equipped to fend off a missile or drone attack from within Iranian territory. But security services also need to be on alert for terrorist attacks targeting Israelis and Jews around the world.” — Mark Dubowitz, FDD CEO

“Iran has said it will retaliate against Israel, but it may also consider the strategic option of targeting Israel’s main supporter, the United States. One possible tactic could involve the resumption of attacks on American troops in Iraq and Syria through proxy militias.” — Joe Truzman, Senior Research Analyst at FDD’s Long War Journal

Related Analysis

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“Iran’s Supreme Leader Threatens to Punish Israel After Syria Airstrike,” FDD Flash Brief

“Senior IRGC Leader Killed in Damascus Air Strike,” FDD Flash Brief