Iran claims responsibility for missile barrage near US consulate in Iraq

Iran claimed accountability Sunday for a missile barrage that struck close to a sprawling U.S. consulate complicated within the northern Iraqi metropolis of Irbil, saying it was retaliation for an Israeli strike in Syria that killed two members of its Revolutionary Guard earlier this week.

No accidents have been reported in Sunday’s assault on town of Irbil, which marked a big escalation between the U.S. and Iran. Hostility between the longtime foes has typically performed out in Iraq, whose authorities is allied with each international locations.

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Iran’s highly effective Revolutionary Guard stated on its web site that it attacked what it described as an Israeli spy middle in Irbil. It didn’t elaborate, however in a press release stated Israel had been on the offensive, citing the latest strike that killed two members of the Revolutionary Guard. The semi-official Tasnim information company quoted an unnamed supply as saying Iran fired 10 Fateh missiles, together with a number of Fateh-110 missiles, which have a variety of about 300 kilometers (186 miles).

The supply stated the assault resulted in a number of casualties and the primary goal for the missiles was the “Zionist base, which is much from the American navy base.”

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

In a Twitter submit, he stated the dearth of response from the worldwide group to repeated assaults by Iran on Kurdistan “is of nice concern” and was encouraging future assaults by Tehran.

A U.S. protection official stated the strike was launched from neighboring Iran, and that it was nonetheless unsure what number of missiles have been fired and the place they landed. A second U.S. official stated there was no harm at any U.S. authorities facility and that there was no indication the goal was the consulate constructing, which is new and unoccupied.

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

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

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.

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 warfare on Ukraine. In the meantime, Iran suspended its secret Baghdad-brokered talks geared toward defusing years-long tensions with regional rival Saudi Arabia, after Saudi Arabia carried out its largest recognized mass execution in its fashionable 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 prompted materials harm within the space. They spoke on situation of anonymity in step with laws.

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

The U.S. ambassador to Iraq, Mathew Tueller, stated the U.S. condemns the legal assault on civilian targets in Irbil. “Iranian regime parts have claimed accountability for this assault and have to be held accountable for this flagrant violation of Iraqi sovereignty,” he stated in a press release posted by the U.S. consulate in Irbil.

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

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The highest U.S. commander for the Center East has repeatedly warned in regards to 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, which 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 battle 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 prime Iranian normal. In retaliation, Iran launched a barrage of missiles at al-Asad airbase, the place U.S. troops have been stationed. Greater than 100 service members suffered traumatic mind accidents within the blasts.

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

And officers have stated they consider 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 have been killed or injured within the assault.

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

Masrour Barzani, prime minister of the semi-autonomous Kurdish-controlled area, condemned the assault. In a Fb submit, he stated Irbil “won’t bow to the cowards who carried out the terrorist assault.”