The United Nations Security Council will hold an open session at Russia's request in response to the recent Israeli airstrike on an Iranian diplomatic compound in Damascus, Syria, Dmitriy Polyanskiy, Russia's First Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, announced.
"Following the Israeli air attack on the Iranian consulate in Damascus, the Iranians appealed to the UN Security Council, asking them to condemn this action. In response to the Iranians' letter, we have requested an open UNSC meeting. The Maltese presidency has scheduled it for 3:00 pm New York time (10:00 pm Moscow time) on April 2," Polyanskiy wrote on his Telegram channel.
Iran's UN mission had previously described the Israeli strike as a "cowardly terrorist act" and a clear violation of the UN Charter, urging the Security Council to condemn the Jewish state's actions and take appropriate measures.
The attack struck a residential building in Damascus, which was later confirmed to house Iran's diplomatic compound. According to the Iranian ambassador to Syria, Hosein Akbari, the casualties included Iranian diplomats and military advisers. Reports indicate that Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Zahedi of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), along with his deputy General Mohammad Hadi Haji Rahimi and five other IRGC members, were killed in the strike. The total death toll has risen to eleven, with three Syrians and one Lebanese national also among the victims.
Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad visited the Iranian diplomatic mission and condemned the "heinous terrorist attack by Israel." Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani stated that Tehran would decide how to "punish the aggressor." The UAE, Oman, and Pakistan have also denounced the attack on the Iranian consulate. Russia's Foreign Ministry described Israel's actions as "absolutely unacceptable and must be stopped."
The Israel Defense Forces spokesperson declined to comment on the information about the military strike in Damascus.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: official website of the President of the Russian Federation
Based on materials from TASS