WW3 fears rise as Middle East on ‘knife-edge’ with one country plotting ultimate revenge | World | News
Tensions in the Middle East have reached a boiling point following a strike in Damascus that obliterated Iran’s consulate and claimed the lives of eight people, including two Iranian generals. The incident, widely attributed to Israel, has ignited fears of an impending conflict, with Iran and its proxies vowing retaliation.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei minced no words, claiming: “We will make them regretful about the crime and similar acts.”
This sentiment was echoed by President Ebrahim Rais, who condemned the attack as a “cowardly crime” orchestrated by Israel.
The strike, labelled an “assassination attempt” by Iranian state television, has thrust the region into uncertainty, with analysts warning of the potential for a full-scale war.
Security analyst Charles Lister underscored the gravity of the situation, comparing the impact to the assassination of Qasem Soleimani in 2020 and predicting a “guaranteed” response from Tehran.
The United States has distanced itself from the attack, stating it played no role and had no prior knowledge. Nevertheless, the escalation has put the entire Middle East on edge, prompting concerns about the form retaliation might take.
Dr. Alan Mendoza, executive director of the Henry Jackson Society, cautioned that Iran may resort to its proxies, such as Hezbollah, to carry out retaliatory strikes.
He warned of the risk of escalation, emphasising the possibility of a conflict erupting between Israel and its adversaries.
He told The Sun: “Iran has little choice but to promise revenge seeing as it has been caught with its pants down in a major intelligence breach allowing Israel to kill its senior terrorist commanders.
“This does not necessarily mean a response will be immediate.
“We have been living in a tit-for-tat environment in the Middle East for several years. Israel will probably be targeted through Iranian proxy groups like Hezbollah, or through global terrorism against Israeli or Jewish targets.
“The danger lies in Hezbollah crossing a red line in any response that could provoke a war with Israel, which is already a possibility given activity on the Lebanese border.”
As the dust settles in Damascus and rescue workers continue to search for bodies, the spectre of war looms large over the region.