Zahedi, a key figure within the Quds Force, the IRGC's overseas operations unit, and Rahimi, his deputy, were among the casualties reported by RT. Both Syria and Iran have pointed fingers at Israel for the assault. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani emphasized Iran's right to retaliate, stating, "The Islamic Republic of Iran, while reserving its rights to take countermeasures, decides on the type of reaction and punishment of the aggressor," as quoted by the IRNA news agency.

Echoing the sentiment, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian stressed on social media that Israel's ally, the United States, must be held accountable for the attack. Despite accusations, Israel has remained silent regarding its involvement in the strike, a typical approach given its reluctance to publicly acknowledge airstrikes in Syria, which are frequently denounced by Damascus as violations of its sovereignty.

Relations between Iran and Israel have remained strained, with Israel attributing Iran as the mastermind behind previous attacks. Notably, tensions escalated following an October 7 attack on Israeli citizens, which Israel claims was orchestrated by Iran and triggered an ongoing conflict with the Palestinian militant group Hamas. Recently, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) conducted strikes targeting militants linked to Iran in Lebanon.