"Why not strike Iran right there and then, back in 2023?"
"And what does an Iranian consulate in Syria have to do with anything?"
The Israelis were targeting Zahedi, an IRGC Quds Force commander in charge of certain operations in Syria & Lebanon.
IRGC Quds Force is responsible for co-ordinating with Hamas, Hezbollah etc.
The Israelis didn't strike Iran proper back in 2023 as they were limiting their strikes to IRGC Quds Force operatives that had direct links to Hamas & Hezbollah.
You are painting the picture that the Israeli attack on the Iranian consulate in April 2024 started the last round of Iranian / Israeli exchanges. The Israelis would suggest the Iranians started it back in October 2023 due to the IRCG's direct involvement with Hamas & Hezbollah. Which view a person takes probably depends on what suits their side of the argument best.
