TEHRAN - Iranians gathered in solemn remembrance to pay tribute to seven members of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) who lost their lives in a terrorist attack on Iran’s consulate in Syria, perpetrated by Israeli forces.

The funeral procession held on Friday morning, coincided with the Quds Day commemoration, which is marked annually across the world on the last Friday of the holy fasting month of Ramadan.

Mourners flooded the streets of the Iranian capital Tehran, expressing solidarity and sorrow as they denounced Israel and its staunch ally, the United States. The ceremony, steeped in reverence and resolve, underscored Iran's steadfast opposition to acts of aggression and its unwavering commitment to defending its sovereignty.

After the funeral, the bodies of the martyrs will be laid to rest in their respective hometowns, symbolizing the sacrifices made in service to their nation and the profound loss felt by their families and communities.

The assault on the Iranian consulate in Damascus's Mezzeh district, carried out by Israeli warplanes on April 1st, has sparked condemnation from countries worldwide. Among the casualties were members of the IRGC, including Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Zahedi and his deputy, General Mohammad Hadi Haji Rahimi, further intensifying tensions in the region.

Iran has vowed a firm response to the Israeli crime that violated all international obligations and conventions.

Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, led prayers over the bodies of the seven IRGC military members during a ceremony in Tehran on Thursday, which was attended by high-ranking military officials.

On an event on Tuesday, the Leader declared that Monday assault reflects the deteriorating position of the Israeli regime, and Israel will receive “a slap in the face” for this heinous crime.

"The Zionist regime’s defeat in Gaza will continue and this regime will approach demise and collapse," stated Ayatollah Khamenei.

Furthermore, he reiterated Iran's unwavering commitment to confronting Israeli aggression and standing in solidarity with the Palestinian people in their struggle against oppression. 

Ayatollah Khamenei denounced Israel's continued hostility towards Gaza, highlighting the resilience of the Palestinian population amidst ongoing violence and hardship.

Israel’s military offensive on besieged Gaza, which started on October 7, so far has resulted in the death of at least 33,037 Palestinians, with 75,668 others injured, according to the latest statistics from the Gaza health ministry.

The conflict has resulted in 85% of Gaza's residents being internally displaced, facing severe scarcities of essential resources like food, clean water, and medicine, as the majority of the region's infrastructure lies in ruins.