Iran‘s Revolutionary Guards claimed responsibility for a dozen ballistic missiles that struck Iraq’s northern Kurdish regional capital of Erbil in the early hours of Sunday, Iran‘s state media reported, adding that the attack was against Israeli “strategic centers” in Erbil.
IRGC released a statement taking responsibility for the missile attack against Israeli “strategic centers” in Erbil, Iran‘s state media reported. “Any repetition of attacks by Israel will be met with a harsh, decisive and destructive response,” the Revolutionary Guard said in a statement reported by state media.
The missiles, which targeted the Iraq Erbil U.S. Consulate‘s new building and a neighboring residential area, caused only material damage and one civilian was injured, the Kurdish interior ministry said. An Iraqi security official told Reuters that the missiles were manufactured in Iran.
The US State Department released a statement denouncing a missile strike claimed by Iran that struck Iraq’s northern city of Erbil.
“The strikes were an outrageous violation of Iraq’s sovereignty. No US facilities were damaged or personnel injured, and we have no indications the attack was directed at the United States,” the statement says.
. U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Mathew H. Tueller condemned the attack and said “Iranian regime elements have claimed responsibility for this attack and must be held accountable.”
France’s foreign ministry said Sunday’s missile strike on Erbil threatened efforts to conclude nuclear talks with Iran.
U.S. forces stationed at Erbil’s international airport complex have in the past come under fire from rocket and drone attacks that Washington blames on Iran-aligned militia groups.
In Reality Iran is holding US Consulate and US Forces hostage in Erbil, since Biden will do little to Iran because of Nuclear Deal negotiations. Tehran is attempting to force Washington stop Israeli attacks against its complex military buildup in Syria which threatens Israel.
U.S. Marine Gen. Frank McKenzie had warned about attacks in the area back in December of 2021, when he told The Associated Press that while American forces in Iraq switched to a non-combat role last year. For several years U.S. forces stationed at Erbil’s international airport complex have come under fire from rocket and drone attacks.
A rocket attack in Erbil, Iraq on February 15 killed a civilian contractor and left another nine injured. While attacks by Iranian-backed groups on Americans have become common, it is the first such test that the Biden administration faces as they pursue nuclear negotiations with Tehran. This policy memo from JINSA staff provides details of the recent rocket attack in Erbil, background on aggression against American positions in Iraq, and policy recommendations for U.S. officials.
Residents of Erbil posted videos online showing several large explosions, and some said the blasts shook their homes.
