Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed responsibility for an attack on what it called an Israeli spy base in Iraq as large explosions were reported in the city of Erbil on Tuesday morning.
The IRGC early Tuesday local time fired at the “espionage headquarters and gatherings of anti-Iranian terrorist groups” in the northern Iraqi city of Erbil and destroyed the targets, according to a statement from the military wing.
Iran has long said that Israel operates a secret base used by spy agency Mossad in the city of Erbil. There was no immediate comment from Israel on the claimed strike.
The Hill could not independently confirm the IRGC’s claims. But a U.S. defense official said explosions were reported in the area of Erbil.
“We have seen the reports, and we tracked the missiles, which impacted in northern Iraq and northern Syria,” said White House national security council spokesperson Adrienne Watson. “No US personnel or facilities were targeted. We have been in touch with senior Iraqi officials as well as officials in the Kurdistan Region. Iran is claiming this is in response to the terrorist attacks in Kerman, Iran and Rask, Iran, with a focus on ISIS. We will continue to assess the situation, but initial indications are that this was a reckless and imprecise set of strikes. The United States supports the sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of Iraq.”
The U.S. operates a consulate in Erbil and some troops are stationed at the city’s Harir Air Base along with allied fighters in Iraq.
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Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed responsibility for an attack on what it called an Israeli spy base in Iraq as large explosions were reported in the city of Erbil on Tuesday morning. https://t.co/SYh6veiRB4 pic.twitter.com/DuZRCwboGI
— The Hill (@thehill) January 16, 2024
An escalation, if confirmed. https://t.co/zmBrXrFVxC
— Noah Rothman (@NoahCRothman) January 15, 2024
Iran bombed innocent people in two neighboring countries today and you don’t hear a word from the same crowd that threw a tantrum over completely justifiable and targeted US/UK airstrikes on a terrorist group in Yemen trying to block shipping lanes.
— AG (@AGHamilton29) January 15, 2024
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