IRGC Advisers Killed in Israeli Strike on Syrian Weapons Depot

DAMASCUS/TEHRAN — The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps confirmed Tuesday that six IRGC advisers were killed in an Israeli airstrike near Homs, Syria, and vowed “immediate and consequential retaliation” — the deadliest single strike against IRGC personnel since the January ceasefire framework took effect.

The attack targeted a known IRGC command post in the industrial district of al-Mazraa, according to two regional intelligence sources and a statement from the IRGC’s public affairs office. Israel declined to comment. The White House said it was “aware of reports” and called for restraint. Oil jumped to $119 per barrel.

The strike came 72 hours after IRGC Quds Force Commander Esmail Ghaani visited the same facility, Iranian state media reported. Iran’s Parliament unanimously approved a resolution authorizing the Supreme National Security Council to “determine the scope and timing of the response.” Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani summoned the UN special envoy to protest the strike as a violation of sovereignty.

Russia called the strike “unacceptable.” The UN Security Council held emergency consultations. Israel has struck Iranian-linked targets inside Syria 11 times since January — Tuesday’s was the first confirmed IRGC fatality. A senior US official said the strike was “planned and coordinated” through deconfliction channels and that IRGC personnel at the site were engaged in weapons transfer operations in violation of the ceasefire framework.