‘Zionist criminals to pay’ for assassinating top Iranian commander: President Raeisi

President Ebrahim Raeisi has condemned Israel’s assassination of a senior Iranian military advisor of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) in Syria, stressing that the occupying regime will pay the price for the crime.

President Raeisi made the remarks during an unannounced visit to the family of martyr Brigadier General Seyed Razi Mousavi on Sunday, as he extended his condolences to his family.

The Iranian president called the murder a “cowardly act” and went on to say that the sacrifices and dedication of the martyrs form the cornerstone of the country’s security and power.

“The services and sacrifices of this great commander in supporting and strengthening the Islamic resistance front will forever remain honored,” he added.

Raiesi further attributed the heinous crime committed by the Israeli regime to its incompetence and frustration in the face of the resistance front in the region.

“Certainly, this crime will not go unanswered, and the Zionist criminals will pay for this crime,” he said.

Mousavi was martyred in a terrorist Israeli airstrike on December 27, while on an advisory mission in Syria. He was a comrade of top Iranian anti-terror commander Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani, who was also assassinated in a US drone strike in Iraq in January 2020.

The Israeli regime has for years targeted what it calls Iran-linked positions in Syria.