In a significant development in the volatile Middle East landscape, Iranian state media reported a major incident involving an airstrike in Damascus, Syria, which resulted in the death of a prominent figure in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Sayyed Razi Mousavi, a key advisor within the IRGC, known for his crucial role in fostering military collaboration between Iran and Syria, was confirmed deceased, a fact corroborated by three independent security sources, as initially disclosed by Reuters.
Iranian state television interrupted its regular broadcast to deliver the news of Mousavi’s demise, underscoring his integral advisory capacity in the IRGC’s Syrian operations. The report also illuminated Mousavi’s association with Qassem Soleimani, the former commander of the IRGC’s Quds Force, who was tragically killed in a U.S. drone strike in Iraq in 2020.
As reported by Iranian state media, Hossein Akbari, Iran’s ambassador in Damascus, stated that Mousavi, serving in a diplomatic capacity at the embassy, fell victim to Israeli missile strikes while on his way home from work.
The incident drew a sharp rebuke from Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, who interpreted the attack as a reflection of Israel’s regional distress and vulnerability, and he assured that Israel would face consequences. “This act is a sign of the Zionist regime’s frustration and weakness in the region for which it will certainly pay the price,” Raisi was quoted as saying.
In a statement aligning with Raisi’s comments, the IRGC warned of repercussions. “The usurper and savage Zionist regime will pay for this crime,” was the stark message delivered by the IRGC, as aired on state television.
Nasser Kanaani, speaking for Iran’s Foreign Ministry, declared on state TV that Iran maintains the right to respond to this incident at a suitable time and place of its choosing.
In response to this event, the Israeli military has remained largely silent, maintaining its usual stance in similar situations. This attack is part of a longstanding pattern of Israeli strikes targeting Iranian interests in Syria.
This latest incident underscores the growing influence of Iran in Syria, a trend that has been on the rise since Iran backed President Bashar al-Assad in the Syrian civil war that erupted in 2011. Iran has also recently disclosed that earlier this month, two IRGC members, who were serving as military advisors, were killed in Israeli airstrikes in Syria.