Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed responsibility for missile strikes near the U.S. consulate in Erbil Iraq today. In a statement the IRGC claimed it targeted anti-Iranian terrorists, saying, “Ballistic missiles were used to destroy espionage centers and gatherings of anti-Iranian terrorist groups in the region late tonight.”
In a post on X, Iran International reported that the IRGC stated the strikes targeted “Mossad espionage bases” and were in retaliation for the Islamic State terrorist attack on January 4, in Kerman, Iran that killed 94 people.
Kurdish businessman Peshraw Dizayee’s house was targeted during the attack, killing him and four members of his family. Kurdish Politician Hemin Hawrami confirmed the deaths on X, saying, “Tonight’s unjustifed [sic] attacks in Erbil by the IRGC targeted a civilian house. The owner of the House, Peshraw Dizaiy and 4 member of his family lost their lives.”
A U.S. official told ABC News: “No US facilities were impacted. We’re not tracking damage to infrastructure or injuries at this time,” and is reporting an Iraqi security source stated that the missile strikes targeted eight locations near the U.S. consulate in Erbil, and did not kill any coalition or American forces.
These missile strikes come as Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani requested U.S.-led coalition forces negotiate a quick and orderly exit from Iraq, stating that the U.S. military presence is destabilizing, and that a committee would “put arrangements to end the presence of the international coalition forces in Iraq permanently.”
Pentagon Press Secretary Major General Patrick Ryder said that the Pentagon is not planning on removing U.S. troops from Iraq when questioned on Al-Sudani’s request during a press briefing, stating: “So to answer your last question first, right now, I’m not aware of any plans. We continue to remain very focused on the Defeat ISIS mission under CJTF-OIR, as we advise and assist the Iraqis. And as you’ve heard us say many times before, we’re there at the invitation of the government of Iraq.”
