Iran

Iran Vows Revenge on Israel After IRGC Commander Killed in Syria

DEC 26 2023·Updated DEC 27 2023

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The Facts

Iran has warned that Israel will "pay the price" for allegedly killing a top Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) adviser in Syria.
Newsweek
Sayyed Razi Mousavi — reportedly responsible for coordinating the military alliance between Iran and Syria, as well as other Iran-backed proxies in the region — was killed after an air strike hit the Sayyida Zeinab district, a suburb of the Syrian capital of Damascus, on Monday.
Al Jazeera
In response, the IRGC stated "the usurper and savage Zionist regime will pay for this crime." Similarly, Iranian Pres. Ebrahim Raisi claimed Mousavi "was martyred" while "safeguarding Islamic ideals," adding his death was "a sign of the Zionist regime's frustration and weakness in the region."
Newsweek
Tel Aviv's alleged role in Mousavi's killing was also condemned by the Iran-backed Hezbollah group operating out of Lebanon, which launched rocket and drone attacks on several Israel Defense Forces (IDF) units as well as civilian homes in Israel's northern regions on Monday.
The Times of Israel
Hours after Mousavi's death, Israel was also hit with widespread power outages and internet blackouts — prompting speculation of an Iranian cyberattack. However, the Israel Electric Corporation rejected that Tehran had any part in the collapse of its production units.
WION
Aside from Mousavi, Iran previously blamed Israel for the deaths of two other IRGC officials in Syria earlier this month. Meanwhile, reports suggested that Mousavi had been a close ally of Qassem Soleimani — the head of the IRGC’s Quds Force who was killed in a US drone strike in Iraq in 2020.
Al Jazeera

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The Spin

Pro-Iran narrative

The assassination of Sayyed Razi Mousavi was not only a violation of international law but also of Syria's sovereign air space. Iran will respond to these terrorist actions accordingly.

Islamic Republic News Agency

Pro-Israel narrative

While Israel, as a general rule, doesn't comment on attacks inside Syria, its military has the right to respond swiftly and conduct operations to safeguard and protect the country's interests.

The Times of Israel