The Iranian flag is raised over the new consulate in Damascus, Syria, on April 8, 2024. Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian opened a new consulate building in the Syrian capital of Damascus on Monday, following the destruction of the previous consulate by an Israeli strike last week. (Photo by Ammar Safarjalani/Xinhua)
DAMASCUS, April 8 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian opened a new consulate building in the Syrian capital of Damascus on Monday, following the destruction of the previous consulate by an Israeli strike last week.
Amir-Abdollahian, alongside Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad, attended the inauguration ceremony of the new consulate, situated next to the previous building that was demolished by an Israeli missile attack just days ago.
Amir-Abdollahian arrived in Damascus on Monday afternoon for his first visit to the country since the Israeli attack on the Iranian consulate on April 1. The attack killed senior leaders in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), including Mohammad Reza Zahedi, a veteran commander who led the IRGC foreign operations wing, the Quds Force, in Syria and Lebanon.
During his visit to Damascus, Amir-Abdollahian held meetings with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad, and the officials in the Syrian National Security.
Speaking at a joint press conference with his Syrian counterpart, Amir-Abdollahian reaffirmed that Israel will receive "the necessary response" for its attack on the consulate, while also blaming the United States for the incident.
The lack of condemnation by the United States of the Israeli attack on the Iranian consulate in Damascus indicated that "Washington has given the green light to Israel to commit this crime," he said, noting the attack "was carried out using American fighter jets and missiles."
Moreover, the minister reiterated that the Israeli attack "will not go unanswered."
For his part, Mekdad slammed the Israeli attack on the Iranian consulate as a violation of international law and all the values on which humanity stands. ■
Photo taken on April 8, 2024 shows the new Iranian consulate in Damascus, Syria. Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian opened a new consulate building in the Syrian capital of Damascus on Monday, following the destruction of the previous consulate by an Israeli strike last week. (Photo by Ammar Safarjalani/Xinhua)
Photo taken on April 8, 2024 shows the new Iranian consulate in Damascus, Syria. Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian opened a new consulate building in the Syrian capital of Damascus on Monday, following the destruction of the previous consulate by an Israeli strike last week. (Photo by Ammar Safarjalani/Xinhua)
Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad and other officials pray for victims of Israeli attack on Iran consulate, in Damascus, Syria, on April 8, 2024. Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian opened a new consulate building in the Syrian capital of Damascus on Monday, following the destruction of the previous consulate by an Israeli strike last week. (Photo by Ammar Safarjalani/Xinhua)
Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian (C) and Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad (L, Front) inaugurate the new Iranian consulate in Damascus, Syria, on April 8, 2024. Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian opened a new consulate building in the Syrian capital of Damascus on Monday, following the destruction of the previous consulate by an Israeli strike last week. (Photo by Ammar Safarjalani/Xinhua)
Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad and other officials check the site of Israeli attack on Iran consulate in Damascus, Syria, on April 8, 2024. Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian opened a new consulate building in the Syrian capital of Damascus on Monday, following the destruction of the previous consulate by an Israeli strike last week. (Photo by Ammar Safarjalani/Xinhua)
Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad (R) and Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian attend a press conference in Damascus, Syria, on April 8, 2024. Speaking at a joint press conference with his Syrian counterpart on Monday, Amir-Abdollahian reaffirmed that Israel will receive "the necessary response" for its attack on the consulate, while also blaming the United States for the incident. (Photo by Ammar Safarjalani/Xinhua)
Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad (2nd, R) and Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian (2nd, L) attend a press conference in Damascus, Syria, on April 8, 2024. Speaking at a joint press conference with his Syrian counterpart on Monday, Amir-Abdollahian reaffirmed that Israel will receive "the necessary response" for its attack on the consulate, while also blaming the United States for the incident. (Photo by Ammar Safarjalani/Xinhua)
Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad (R) meets with Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian in Damascus, Syria, on April 8, 2024. Speaking at a joint press conference with his Syrian counterpart on Monday, Amir-Abdollahian reaffirmed that Israel will receive "the necessary response" for its attack on the consulate, while also blaming the United States for the incident.
