The New York Times quoted American officials and an Israeli official as saying that the Israelis had miscalculated in believing that Iran would not respond forcefully.

Officials considered that miscalculation led to an escalation of the conflict between Israel and Iran.

The sources stated that the United States was surprised by the Israeli decision to strike the Iranian consulate in Damascus, and although American officials declared their support for Israel, they secretly expressed their anger at the decision being taken without consulting Washington.

On the other hand, Israeli officials told the American newspaper that planning for the strike in Damascus began two months ago, and that Iranian Revolutionary Guard officer Mohammad Reza Zahedi was the target, according to defense records. They explained that the War Council approved the strike on March 22, and there were no predictions of the ferocity of the Iranian response. .