Khamenei Says Israel 'Must Be Punished' For Syria Attack

In a major escalation of Israel's war with regional adversaries, suspected Israeli warplanes launched a precision strike on Iran's consulate in the Syrian capital on April 1 in a strike killing seven IRGC Quds Force officers involved with controlling Iran's armed proxies.

"When they attack the consulate, it is as if they have attacked our soil," Khamenei said in a speech marking the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. "The evil regime made a mistake and must be punished and it shall be," he added.

Iranian official have repeatedly threatened retaliation but so far no attack has been launched, with amny in Iran urging caution and "strategic patience."

In an apparent response to Khamenei, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said on Wednesday that Israel will respond if Iran attacks Israel from its own soil.

"If Iran attacks from its own territory, Israel will respond and attack in Iran," Katz said in post on the social media platform X.

Iran backs groups that have entered the fray across the region since Israel launched its invasion of Gaza following the October 7 attack on southern Israel by Hamas that killed more than 1,000 civilians.

Some 33,360 Palestinians have been killed in six months of Israeli bombardment of Gaza, according to unverified numbers issued by Hamas. Israel says around 10,000 Hamas militants were among those who died during its military operation.

The Iran-backed Lebanese Hezbollah group has exchanged fire on a daily basis with Israel, while Iraqi groups have fired on US forces in Syria and Iraq and the Houthis of Yemen have targeted shipping in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.