DUBAI, April 1. /TASS/. Iranian authorities reserve the right to retaliate to the Israeli airstrike on the republic's consulate in Damascus and will decide how to "punish the aggressor," Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nasser Kanaani said.

"Iran, while reserving the right to retaliate, will decide on its own how to respond and punish the aggressor," Kanaani said in a statement posted on the official Telegram channel of the Iranian Foreign Ministry.

The diplomat said the responsibility for the attack rests with Israel, adding that the attack on the consulate is being investigated. Kanaani also urged the UN and the international community to condemn Israel’s actions and "take all necessary measures against the aggressor."

Earlier, the Syrian agency SANA reported that the Israeli Air Force had conducted a strike on a building in Damascus. According to Iran’s SNN TV channel, the building of the consulate and residence of Iranian Ambassador Hossein Akbari came under fire. According to the ambassador, five to seven people were killed in the attack. He confirmed that Iranian diplomats and military advisers who were inside could have been killed in the shelling.