Originally published by Jewish Federations of North American on April 4, 2023.

An air strike attributed to Israel destroyed a building in Damascus earlier in the week, killing the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commander for Syria and Lebanon General Mohammad Reza Zahedi, along with his deputy General Mohammad Hadi Hajriahimi and five other members of the Revolutionary Guards. As a result of the attack, IDF forces have been put on high alert in expectation of a forceful Iranian retaliation against Israel. Officials are also concerned that Iran may attempt to strike “soft targets” such as Israeli embassies, diplomats and tourists around the world, or even local Jewish communities. 

Background:

• According to the U.S. State Department, “The IRGC has been directly involved in terrorist plotting; its support for terrorism is foundational and institutional, and it has killed U.S. citizens… The IRGC - most prominently through its Qods Force - directs and carries out a global terrorist campaign.”  
• Iran provides up to $100 million annually in support of Palestinian terror groups, including Hamas, and provides $700 million annually to Hezbollah. 
• Zahedi played a critical role in the relations between the IRGC and the Assad regime in Syria and Hezbollah in Lebanon. He was reportedly charged with overseeing the transfer of Iranian arms to Hezbollah.  
• In 2010 the U.S. Department of the Treasury placed sanctions on him for his terror activities. 
• Zahedi is the highest-ranking commander of any force allegedly killed by Israel since October 7. He is also the highest-ranking Iranian to be killed since the assassination of Qasem Soleimani by the U.S. in 2020. He is thought to be especially close to Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. 
• According to estimates, Hezbollah has some 150,000 rockets and precision-guided missiles that could penetrate deep into Israel. Since October 8, Hezbollah has launched thousands of rockets and missiles at Israel, leaving dozens dead and wounded and forcing some 100,000 people to evacuate their homes in northern Israel.   
• The Houthi rebel group in Yemen, another Iranian proxy, continues to launch long-range missiles at Israel and attack international cargo ships sailing through the Red Sea. 
• Iranian leaders have vowed to wipe Israel off the map.  Through its IRGC and terrorist proxies, Iran poses a tremendous threat to Israel’s security and to Western interests around the globe.