Iran-linked drone strikes target Kurdistan PM office

Two drones targeted the office of the Kurdistan Regional Government’s prime minister and the residence of the region’s intelligence chief in northern Iraq, Kurdish security authorities said, in attacks they said were launched from Iranian territory.

The strikes took place on Monday and caused no casualties, according to the Kurdish security agency. It did not provide details on whether either drone successfully hit its intended target. No group has claimed responsibility.

Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani condemned the attacks in a post on X, calling them “reckless and unacceptable” and warning that they posed a direct threat to regional security and stability.

Iraq’s prime minister has ordered the formation of an investigative committee to determine the source and circumstances of the attacks, the state news agency reported.

Iran rejected the allegation that the drones were launched from its territory. Semi-official Tasnim news agency reported that Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told his Iraqi counterpart Fuad Hussein in a phone call that Tehran had no information confirming the attacks originated in Iran.

Araghchi later condemned the attacks in a post on X and urged Kurdish authorities to remain alert to what he described as attempts to sow division among neighbouring countries.

Iran and Iran-backed armed groups have long accused Iraq’s autonomous Kurdistan Region of sheltering Kurdish groups opposed to Tehran. Kurdish authorities have consistently denied the allegations.

Drone and rocket attacks have previously targeted the Kurdistan Region. In an earlier attack on the Khor Mor gas field, one of the region’s largest, four Yemeni workers were killed and two others injured.