Why it matters:
Israel’s escalated strikes on Syrian territory threaten regional stability, heighten tensions between major regional players, and may invite further international involvement in the conflict.
The big picture:
Israeli forces have intensified attacks on key Syrian military and civilian sites, including Damascus, Homs, Hama, and Daraa.
Iran warns that Israel is exploiting Syria’s fragile situation to expand its control and fuel further conflicts in the region. Damascus has repeatedly called for international intervention, but Israel maintains its strikes are preemptive measures against threats from Syria-based groups.
What he's saying:
Ismail Baghaei, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman, denounced Israel’s latest aggression, stating: The strikes deliberately target Syria’s military and non-military infrastructure, weakening the nation’s defensive capabilities. Israel has systematically occupied strategic Syrian regions since the fall of its previous government. Iran has warned regional actors for months that Israel is exploiting Syria’s instability to expand its influence.
Key points:
- Strikes have hit vital infrastructure, including Damascus and Hama Airport and military sites in Homs and Hama.
- Israeli forces engaged with local armed people in Daraa, killing at least 10 people in artillery and airstrikes.
- Israel War Minister Israel Katz declared that Israel will maintain its presence in buffer zones inside Syria to prevent security threats.
- Katz issued a stern warning to Syria’s new ruler, Ahmed al-Sharaa stating: “If you allow hostile forces to enter Syria, you will pay a very heavy price.”
Go deeper:
With Israel vowing to maintain military operations inside Syria and Iran urging international action, tensions in the region remain high. As calls for diplomatic intervention grow, the possibility of broader conflict looms.
Hossein Vaez
