Russia says Israeli attack on Iranian consulate is 'act of aggression', requests UNSC meeting

Russia condemned an Israeli strike on the Iranian consulate in Syria, called on the Jewish state to cease such "completely unacceptable" actions, and has requested a meeting with the UN Security Council regarding the strike.

The UNSC will hold an open meeting at Russia's request, according to TASS, citing Dmitry Polyansky, Russia’s First Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN.

"After Israel's airstrike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus today, Iranians have turned to the UN Security Council to condemn this action," Polyansky posted on X. "Following their letter, we have requested an open briefing of the UN Security Council. The Maltese presidency has scheduled it for 3:00 p.m. New York time (10 p.m. Moscow time) on April 2."

The strike

Suspected Israeli warplanes bombed Iran's embassy in Syria on Monday in a strike that Iran said killed seven of its military advisers, including three senior commanders, marking a significant escalation in Israel's war with its regional adversaries.

"We strongly condemn this attack on the Iranian consular mission in Syria," Russia's foreign ministry said. "Such aggressive actions by Israel are absolutely unacceptable and must be stopped."

The Kremlin said on Tuesday that a suspected Israeli air strike against the Iranian consulate in Damascus was an act of aggression.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said such attacks violated all the foundations of international law.

The Iranian Mission to the UN referred to the alleged Israeli strike as "cowardly" and a "terrorist attack" and that it was a "flagrant violation of fundamental norms and principles of international law." They claimed that the launching point of the strike was from the Golan Heights, describing the region as "occupied," and said the airstrikes resulted in "the complete destruction of Iran's diplomatic premises in question."

"We urge the Israeli leadership to abandon the practice of provocative military actions on the territory of Syria and other neighboring countries," it said.