Iran launches missile strikes on Erbil, claiming retaliation

In a significant escalation of regional tensions, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards carried out missile attacks targeting alleged “terrorist” locations in both Syria and Iraq’s autonomous Kurdistan region.

The official IRNA news agency reported that the attacks, which aimed at a “spy headquarters” and a “gathering of anti-Iranian terrorist groups” in Erbil, resulted in the deaths of four individuals, including prominent businessman Peshraw Dizayee, with six others sustaining injuries, as confirmed by Iraq’s Kurdistan security council.

The United States strongly condemned the missile strikes, describing them as “reckless” and warning that they pose a threat to Iraq’s stability. Despite concerns, no U.S. personnel or facilities were reportedly targeted in the attacks, according to a statement from the White House.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) extended its strikes to Syria, targeting locations associated with recent terrorist operations, specifically mentioning the Islamic State group. This action was framed as a response to recent attacks in southern Iranian cities that claimed Iranian lives.

Explosions were reported in Aleppo and its countryside, with the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights indicating that at least four missiles originating from the Mediterranean Sea direction had fallen in the area.

The IRGC also claimed to have struck alleged Israeli “spy headquarters” in Iraq’s Kurdistan, accusing it of being a hub for espionage and planning terrorist actions in the region. This move was presented as a response to recent attacks on Iran and the broader “axis of resistance” formed by Iran-aligned groups, heightening concerns about the potential for violence spreading from Israel’s conflict in Gaza.

The situation exacerbates already heightened regional tensions, involving Iran-backed armed groups in Lebanon, Iraq, Syria, and Yemen. This latest development follows a series of prior incidents, including missile attacks in Erbil in March 2022, the killing of a senior Guards commander in December, and targeted strikes on Hezbollah and Hamas leaders in January.