Israel Strengthens Air Defense System Following Islamic Republic's Threat of 'Severe Punishment'; Army on High Alert

Israel announced that following a deadly attack attributed to the country on April 2, which resulted in the deaths of several IRGC commanders in Syria, it has entered a state of alert and, in addition to strengthening its air defense system, has also called up reserve forces. The Israeli army noted on Wednesday, April 4, that this decision was made after assessing the current security situation and the increased retaliatory threats from Iranian government leaders. At the same time, Channel 12 of Israeli television reported that the country is in a complete state of readiness and is considering potential responses from the Islamic Republic, including the possibility of a direct retaliatory attack from Iranian territory without the involvement of proxy groups. In the airstrike on Monday, April 2, targeting senior IRGC commanders at the Islamic Republic's consulate in Damascus, at least six of these IRGC members were killed. Among the most significant casualties were Mohammad Reza Zahedi, commander of the Quds Force of the IRGC (the Quds Force branch in Syria and Lebanon), Major General Hossein Aminollah, Chief of Staff of the Quds Force of the IRGC, and Lieutenant General Haj Rahimi, 'a close friend and deputy of Zahedi.' Iranian officials have threatened Israel with retaliation for this attack. Ali Khamenei, the leader of the Islamic Republic, stated in this regard: 'The wicked regime will be punished by our brave men. We will make them regret this crime and similar acts, God willing.' Matthew Miller, spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, responded to a question from a VOA reporter at a press conference on Wednesday, April 4, stating that the Biden administration is still gathering information regarding the destroyed building in Damascus. On Monday, after the building adjacent to the Iranian embassy in Damascus was turned into a pile of rubble in an airstrike, the Islamic Republic claimed that the building was part of the embassy complex. The U.S. and many other Western countries have not had diplomatic offices in Syria since the beginning of the civil war, making it difficult to verify the Iranian government's claims. Following the attack, President Joe Biden's administration sent a message to the Islamic Republic stating that it not only had no role in the attack but was also unaware of it. According to Miller, this message was 'very clear.' Miller did not respond to VOA's question about how the message was conveyed to the Islamic Republic and whether the Islamic Republic indicated that it believed the U.S. or not. The airstrike on April 2 has been attributed to Israel. After the attack on the consulate in Damascus, what reactions have the Islamic Republic's proxies shown? What happened in the emergency Security Council meeting regarding the attack on the Islamic Republic's consulate? They took revenge for the attack on the consulate by attacking the historical site of Estromordkhai in Hamadan. The presence of military personnel in embassies of all countries is natural; Hussein Aryan's view on the Damascus attack. Doubts about the claim of the 'diplomatic' nature of the destroyed building in Damascus; the U.S.: We are gathering information. Global gold prices hit a record, bringing coins close to 43 million. Reuters' analytical report on the options for the Iranian government to 'retaliate against Israel'; however, all of them carry risks. The United States warned the Islamic Republic against any attacks on U.S. forces in the region.