Missiles fired from Iran hit near US consulate in Iraq

BAGHDAD — As many as 12 missiles struck close to a sprawling U.S. consulate advanced within the northern Iraqi metropolis of Irbil on Sunday, in what a U.S. protection official and an Iraqi official stated was a strike launched from neighboring Iran.

No accidents had been reported within the assault, which marked a big escalation between the U.S. and Iran. Hostility between the longtime foes has usually performed out in Iraq, whose authorities is allied with each nations.

The Iraqi official in Baghdad initially stated a number of missiles had hit the U.S. consulate in Irbil and that it was the goal of the assault. Later, Lawk Ghafari, the top of Kurdistan’s overseas media workplace, stated not one of the missiles had struck the U.S. facility however that areas across the compound had been hit.

The U.S. protection official stated it was nonetheless unsure precisely what number of missiles had been fired and precisely the place they landed. A second U.S. official stated there was no injury at any U.S. authorities facility and that there was no indication the goal was the consulate constructing, which is new and presently unoccupied.

Neither the Iraqi official nor the U.S. officers had been approved to debate the occasion with the media and spoke to The Related Press on situation of anonymity.

Satellite tv for pc broadcast channel Kurdistan24, which is positioned close to the U.S. consulate, went on air from their studio shortly after the assault, displaying shattered glass and particles on their studio flooring.

The assault got here a number of days after Iran stated it could retaliate for an Israeli strike close to Damascus, Syria, that killed two members of its Revolutionary Guard. On Sunday, Iran’s state-run IRNA information company quoted Iraqi media acknowledging the assaults in Irbil, with out saying the place they originated.

An Iranian spokesperson rejected the accusation that Iran was behind the Irbil assault. Mahmoud Abbaszadeh, spokesman for Iran’s parliamentary committee on nationwide safety and overseas coverage, stated the allegation couldn’t be confirmed to this point.

“If Iran decides to take revenge … it will likely be very, very critical, sturdy, apparent,” he stated in an interview with a neighborhood information web site.

The missile barrage coincided with regional tensions. Negotiations in Vienna over Tehran’s tattered nuclear deal hit a “pause” over Russian calls for about sanctions focusing on Moscow for its conflict on Ukraine. In the meantime, Iran suspended its secret Baghdad-brokered talks aimed toward defusing yearslong tensions with regional rival Saudi Arabia, after Saudi Arabia carried out its largest recognized mass execution in its trendy historical past with over three dozens Shiites killed.

The Iraqi safety officers stated there have been no casualties from the Irbil assault, which they stated occurred after midnight and brought on materials injury within the space. They spoke on situation of anonymity consistent with laws.

One of many Iraqi officers stated the ballistic missiles had been fired from Iran, with out elaborating. He stated the projectiles had been the Iranian-made Fateh-110, possible fired in retaliation for the 2 Revolutionary Guards killed in Syria.

One other U.S. official stated in a press release that the U.S. condemned what it referred to as an “outrageous assault towards Iraqi sovereignty and show of violence.”

U.S. forces stationed at Irbil’s airport compound have come below fireplace from rocket and drone assaults up to now, with U.S. officers blaming Iran-backed teams.

The highest U.S. commander for the Center East has repeatedly warned concerning the rising threats of assaults from Iran and Iranian-backed militias on troops and allies in Iraq and Syria.

In an interview with The Related Press in December, Marine Gen. Frank McKenzie stated that whereas U.S. forces in Iraq have shifted to a non-combat function, Iran and its proxies nonetheless need all American troops to depart the nation. In consequence, he stated, that will set off extra assaults.’

The Biden administration determined final July to finish the U.S. fight mission in Iraq by Dec. 31, and U.S. forces progressively moved to an advisory function final 12 months. The troops will nonetheless present air assist and different navy assist for Iraq’s combat towards the Islamic State.

The U.S. presence in Iraq has lengthy been a flash level for Tehran, however tensions spiked after a January 2020 U.S. drone strike close to the Baghdad airport killed a high Iranian common. In retaliation, Iran launched a barrage of missiles at al-Asad airbase, the place U.S. troops had been stationed. Greater than 100 service members suffered traumatic mind accidents within the blasts.

Extra lately, Iranian proxies are believed liable for an assassination try late final 12 months on Iraq’s Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi.

And officers have stated they imagine Iran was behind the October drone assault on the navy outpost in southern Syria the place American troops are based mostly. No U.S. personnel had been killed or injured within the assault.

Al-Kadhimi tweeted: “The aggression which focused the expensive metropolis of Irbil and unfold worry amongst its inhabitants is an assault on the safety of our folks.”

Masrour Barzani, prime minister of the semi-autonomous Kurdish-controlled area, condemned the assault. In a Fb put up, he stated Irbil “is not going to bow to the cowards who carried out the terrorist assault.”