US Warns Islamic Republic: Do Not Use Israel's Attack on Damascus as an Excuse to Target Our Personnel and Facilities

A spokesperson for the US State Department told CNN on Thursday, April 6, that the United States has warned the Islamic Republic not to use Israel's attack on Damascus as an "excuse to attack American personnel and facilities." According to CNN, this warning was sent in response to a message received by the Islamic Republic, directed at the leaders of the Iranian government, but the exact content of the Iranian message and the US warning is not precisely known. Hours after the attack on a meeting of Quds Force commanders at the Islamic Republic's consulate in Damascus, the Iranian Foreign Minister stated that he summoned a "diplomatic official" from Switzerland and sent an important message to the US through him. Hossein Amir-Abdollahian held the US responsible for the attack on the meeting of senior Quds Force commanders, adding that the US government supports Israel and must be held accountable for this action. Mohammad Jamshidi, the political deputy of Ibrahim Raisi's office, also wrote on social media on Friday, April 6: "The Islamic Republic warned the US in a written message not to fall into Netanyahu's trap; withdraw to avoid being hit. In response, the US requested Iran not to strike American targets." American sources say the United States is on high alert and prepared to respond to a potential attack from the Islamic Republic. An attack could occur within the next week, targeting Israeli or American assets in the region. On Monday, April 3, the Quds Force was attacked at the Islamic Republic's consulate building in Damascus, resulting in the deaths of at least six commanders of the Quds Force, including Mohammad Reza Zahedi. This attack has been attributed to Israel, but Israel has neither confirmed nor denied it. Iranian officials on Thursday, at the funeral of the killed commander, called for revenge. Special program: The controversy over the consulate attack; redefining nationalism? On the line: The Islamic Republic and the dilemma of "hard response" or "strategic patience". American media: The Islamic Republic is preparing for "retaliation" against Israel's attack on its consulate in Syria. The tone of the Islamic Republic has changed in "response to Israel's attack"; "retaliation" has been replaced with "hard revenge." Hezbollah Lebanon: The Iranian government's response is on the way; Israel: We are prepared with layered defense. A political group in Iran emphasized Mohammad Reza Zahedi's role in Hamas's attacks on Israel. The shadow of "crisis expansion" over the Middle East; Israel: Any retaliatory action by the Islamic Republic will face a decisive response. Israel: The army's fighter jets are ready "for defense and attack."