Iran Revolutionary Guards claim responsibility for ballistic missile attacks in Erbil

Tensions remain between Iran and Israel, with recent clashes sparking concern of conflict between the two nations. Members of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard claimed responsibility for a recent attack in a region of Iraq.

According to Iranian state media, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed responsibility for a ballistic missile attack in the Iraqi region of Erbil. The country’s elite forces issued a statement Sunday, saying that it was targeting an Israeli “strategic center” in the country.

“Any repetition of attacks by Israel will be met with a harsh, decisive, and destructive response,” said the IRGC in its statement. This follows the previous clash between the countries’ forces. Last week, Israeli forces killed two IRGC guards in Syria, which is a close ally of Iran.

Kurdish officials said a dozen ballistic missiles coming from outside Iraq were launched. Erbil Governor Omed Khoshnaw told a local broadcasting network that there was a terrorist attack against the US Consulate in the area. The Kurdish Interior Ministry said the missiles only caused material damage to the consulate and injured one civilian.

A spokesperson for the US State Department condemned the attack but noted that no Americans were hurt from the incident and that there was no damage to US government facilities in Erbil. The incident was also quoted by Iraqi state television, saying that 12 missiles were launched from outside Iraq hit Erbil.

Iraq’s Kurdish Regional Government prime minister Masrour Barzani also condemned the attack on social media.

“Erbil will not bow down to cowards. I strongly condemn the terrorist attack on several places in Erbil,” tweeted Barzani.

Iran has shortly responded to the condemnation caused by the IRGC. Iran’s foreign ministry said that the country will not tolerate threats coming from Iraq.

“It is unacceptable that one of our neighbors, which has deep ties with us, becomes a focal point for threats against the Islamic Republic of Iran,” said Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh Monday.

Khatibzadeh claimed that Israel has been creating security problems for Iran through Iraq, including organizing rallies protesting against the establishment and “terrorist groups” in the Kurdish region.