US alarmed by possibility of full-fledged war between Iran, Israel

NEW YORK | TASS  | Washington is alarmed by the possibility of a full-scale war between Iran and Israel following the deadly air strike on Iran’s consulate in Syria, US National Security Council Strategic Communications Coordinator John Kirby told CNN.

“Yes, we’re very concerned [about this scenario]. In fact, one of the things that the Prime Minister and the President talked about today was this very public very real threat by Iran to the State of Israel,” he said, answering to the TV host’s question about the possibility of a major conflict between Israel and Iran.

“I think it’s important to remember that the security assistance we provide Israel is not just for Gaza. <…> The United States will stand with you we will continue to help you defend yourself against these multiple threats,” Kirby added.

Earlier, Israel’s i24News reported that the Jewish state was bracing for possible Iranian attacks following the deadly strike on Iran’s consulate in Syria.

On April 1, the Syrian news agency SANA reported that Israel’s Air Force had conducted a strike on a building in Damascus. Iranian media outlets said that Iran’s consulate was the target of the attack, which left 13 people dead. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said in a statement that the strike had killed seven military advisors, including General Mohammad Reza Zahedi and General Mohammad Hadi Haji-Rahimi.

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed that Tehran would make Israel regret its strike and President Ebrahim Raisi pledged that the attack would not go without response. Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Spokesperson Daniel Hagari said that Israel had hit a military target belonging to the IRGC, but not a diplomatic mission. According to Hagari, the facility was disguised as a civilian building.