The threat of war with Israel hangs over Iran as retaliatory strike looms

A cloud has been hanging over Iran for 11 days.

The Israeli bombing of Iran’s consulate in Damascus which killed a senior general and six other officers has Iranians fearing the Gaza war may be making its way to their shores.

In a speech to mark Eid al-Fitr, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei stressed that embassies and consulates are considered sovereign territory. An attack on them is tantamount to an attack on Iran itself, he declared.

"The Zionist regime has made a grave mistake and must be punished - and will be punished," he said.

Though some Iranian officials have echoed those sentiments, there has been no further confirmation that retaliation is planned or what it would look like.

Reporting by Middle East Eye's correspondent in Tehran.

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