ISFAHAN, Iran (AP) 鈥 A top military commander Saturday renewed Iran's promise to retaliate after an airstrike earlier this week widely blamed on Israel destroyed Iran鈥檚 consulate in Syria, killing 12 people, including two elite Iranian generals.
Gen. Mohammad Bagheri, Iran鈥檚 joint chief of staff, told mourners gathered for the funeral of Gen. Mohammad Reza Zahdi that Iran will decide when and how to stage an 鈥渙peration鈥 to take revenge. Zahdi was the highest ranking commander slain in Monday鈥檚 attack.
鈥淭he time, type, plan of the operation will be decided by us, in a way that makes Israel regret what it did," he said. "This will definitely be done.鈥
The attack on an Iranian diplomatic compound was a significant escalation in a long-running shadow war between the two archenemies, and Israel has been bracing for an Iranian response.
In all, 12 people were killed in the strike: Seven Iranian Revolutionary Guard members, four Syrians and a Hezbollah militia member.
On Friday, the commander of Iran鈥檚 powerful , Gen. Hossein Salami, warned that 鈥渙ur brave men will punish the Zionist regime,鈥 escalating threats against Israel.
Tensions have flared against the backdrop of the in Gaza, and raised renewed fears of a broader regional conflict. The Islamic militant group Hamas, which has ruled Gaza for 17 years, is one of Iran鈥檚 proxies, along with Lebanon鈥檚 Hezbollah militia and Yemen鈥檚 Houthi rebels.
Both Hezbollah and the Houthis have carried out attacks along the fringes of the Gaza war, with Hezbollah engaging in with Israel and the Houthis frequently targeting Red Sea shipping.
Bagheri made the comments in Isfahan, Zahedi鈥檚 hometown, about 440 kilometers (270 miles) south of the capital Tehran.
