Israeli embassies placed on high alert after killing of Iranian Revolutionary Guards colonel

Israeli embassies around the world were placed on high alert on Monday following the assassination of an Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) colonel in Tehran.

Sayyad Khodai was shot dead outside his home in the Iranian capital on Sunday by two men riding a motorcycle, who fled the scene.

The IRGC accused "elements linked to global arrogance" of being behind the assassination, in a reference to the US and its allies, including Israel.

Israel has not claimed responsibility for the killing but the Israeli Kan public broadcaster said that Khodai was behind attacks on Israeli targets in Kenya, Colombia, Cyprus, and Turkey.

It said that Israeli embassies and missions around the world were increasing security alertness.

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi vowed revenge for Khodai's death, saying "I insist on the serious pursuit (of the killers) by security officials, and I have no doubt that the blood of this great martyr will be avenged."

Khodai had previously fought in Syria, where Israel regularly carries out airstrikes on Iranian-backed militias supporting the regime of President Bashar al-Assad.

Kan also reported that he had previously supervised Mansour Rassouli, whose plan to kill an Israeli diplomat in Turkey was foiled by the Mossad.

The IRGC's colonel's killing is the highest profile assassination of an Iranian figure since November 2020, when Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, a high-level Iranian nuclear scientist, was shot dead outside Tehran in another suspected Mossad operation.

The Israeli website Ynet News said that Khodai's killing was a "great achievement".