DAMASCUS/TEHRAN, April 1 (Xinhua) -- An Israeli missile strike hit the consulate building within the compound of the Iranian embassy in the Syrian capital, Damascus, on Monday afternoon, leveling the building and leaving an unknown number of casualties, according to Xinhua reporters on the scene.

Iran's semi-official news agency Tasnim reported that five people, including a commander of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) and his deputy, were killed in the attack. No official figure has been released on the airstrikes' casualties and damage.

Tasnim identified the slain commander and his deputy as Mohammad-Reza Zahedi, 64, and Haj Rahimi, respectively, saying Zahedi was a commander of the IRGC's Quds Force.

The Syrian Defense Ministry said in a statement that the attack occurred at about 5:00 p.m. local time (1400 GMT), when Israel launched an aerial aggression from the direction of the occupied Syrian Golan Heights, targeting the building of the Iranian Consulate in Damascus.

Syria's air defense intercepted some of the missiles, it noted, adding the attack resulted in fatalities and injuries.

Xinhua Reporters saw thick plumes of smoke rising from the building located on the Mazzeh Highway to the west of Damascus after the attack, which triggered a big boom sound as the Syrian air defenses attempted to intercept the missiles.

Ambulances rushed to the scene while military vehicles swiftly cordoned off the embassy's perimeter.

Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad, who arrived at the scene following the missile strike, condemned the attack. He said the Israeli attack would not affect the Syrian-Iranian relations.

The Syrian Defense Ministry said efforts were underway to retrieve the bodies of the victims, provide medical assistance to the wounded, and remove the rubble. Enditem

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