Nasrallah: Israeli attack on Iranian consulate is a 'turning point', response is inevitable

(Patria) - Hezbollah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah said on Friday that the Israeli attack on the Iranian consulate in Damascus was a "turning point", promising that Iran's response "is definitely coming".

In a televised speech, he said the region should be prepared for what could happen after a potential Israeli reaction to Iran's response. He said the response to the attack in Syria, which the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said killed seven of its members, including two senior commanders, was "inevitable", according to Arab media.

As for the timing, he said it would depend on Tehran. He added that part of the war was to keep the Israelis worried and said Iran would not rush its retaliation. "Today, tomorrow, in a few days, in a month, Iran will respond to Israel." Nasrallah also warned the region to be prepared for all scenarios depending on Israel's reaction to Iran's response.

Earlier on Friday, the deputy head of the Iranian president's office for political affairs said Washington had asked Tehran not to target US facilities. "In a written message, the Islamic Republic of Iran warns the American leadership not to fall into Netanyahu's trap for the US - stay away to avoid getting hurt."

He was apparently referring to the Israeli strike. The Pentagon said the US had contacted Iran after the attack to say they were not responsible for the attack. "The Israelis did not inform us of their attack or their intended target of their attack in Damascus," Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh said earlier this week.