TEHRAN: Iran has launched missile and drone attacks against US bases in the Iraqi city of Erbil, in direct retaliation for recent US strikes on Iranian positions, Iranian state media reported Thursday.
According to Iranian media, the Iranian army targeted American assets in Erbil using both missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles. The extent of damage inflicted by the attacks remains unclear, and there has been no immediate comment from US or Iraqi officials.
Separately, the Iranian army announced that its air defense system fired a missile at an American F-16 fighter jet that allegedly violated Iranian airspace. The military claimed the action forced the fighter jet to turn back.
The developments mark a significant escalation in the ongoing confrontation between Tehran and Washington, which has already seen Iran close the Strait of Hormuz and US Central Command conduct additional defensive strikes inside Iran.
Neither the US Central Command nor the Iraqi government has yet issued a statement regarding the reported strikes on Erbil or the alleged F-16 incident.
