Hezbollah Lebanon: Iran's response is on the way; Israel: We are prepared with layered defense

The head of Hezbollah Lebanon said on Friday, April 6, that Israel's attack on the Islamic Republic's consulate in Damascus is a 'turning point' following October 7, when the Palestinian group Hamas began its attacks on Israel, leading to war with this group affiliated with the Islamic Republic of Iran and escalating regional tensions. In the attack on Tuesday, April 2, on the Iranian government's consulate in Damascus, seven members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), including Mohammad Reza Zahedi, a senior commander of the Quds Force, were killed. The Iranian government has threatened to take revenge. Hezbollah, supported by Tehran, has stated that it supports the Islamic Republic's right to 'punish' Israel, and Hassan Nasrallah threatened in a televised statement on Friday that a response is on the way. He assured that the Iranian government's response will certainly be against Israel. In preparation for a potential retaliatory attack by the Iranian government, Israel has canceled all combat unit leaves and deployed additional forces to air defense units. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated at the beginning of Thursday night's cabinet meeting, 'Iran has been working directly against us for years. Israel acts both defensively and offensively against Iran and its agents. We know how to defend ourselves against anyone who wants to harm us and to harm them.' Yoav Galant, Israel's Defense Minister, said on Friday in a conversation with Israeli forces at an airbase that Israel will attack enemies wherever it decides. He stated, 'It could be in Damascus or in Beirut. The enemy has been severely hit everywhere, and that is why it is looking for ways to respond. We are prepared with layered defense.' The Islamic Republic has so far refrained from direct involvement in the war while supporting numerous attacks on Israeli and U.S. targets by its proxy militants across the region in Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, and Iraq. Diplomats and analysts say that the spiritual leaders of the Islamic Republic do not seek a comprehensive war with Israel or the United States, which could jeopardize their hold on power, and prefer to continue using their proxy forces for tactical attacks against their 'enemies.' The United States has clearly rejected any involvement in the attack attributed to Israel in Damascus and emphasized that it was not even aware of it. However, the Biden administration warned that it would respond decisively if attacked on American interests. Hezbollah, along with its ally the Shiite Amal party and Palestinian groups based in Lebanon, has exchanged fire across the border with Israel since October 7 of last year. Nasrallah said on Friday that his group has weapons and forces that have not yet been used against Israel. The United States classified Hezbollah Lebanon as a terrorist organization 27 years ago. The U.S. State Department described Hezbollah in 2010 as the most technically capable terrorist group in the world and a security threat to the United States. Associated Press: The U.S. prepares to respond to 'potential retaliatory attacks' by the Islamic Republic. Axios quoted an American official: The United States had 'no involvement' in the [Israeli] attack on the Iranian consulate. Israeli Defense Minister: We will target Hezbollah in Beirut, Damascus, and any other distant location. The Israeli army says a senior member of Hezbollah's missile unit was killed in a drone attack. Israeli airstrike on the outskirts of Aleppo, Syria; two security sources told Reuters: 38 killed. Traffic of leaders of 'terrorist groups' in Iran; Nakhaleh met with Khamenei, Raisi, and Qalibaf. Syrian Observatory for Human Rights: A Hezbollah commander and four militants were killed in Deir ez-Zor.