In an incredible show of force from Tehran last night, Iranian missiles struck the sprawling U.S. consulate complex located in the northern Iraqi city of Erbil, in Iraqi Kurdistan. 

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards claimed responsibility for the strike, including some 12 ballistic missiles which struck the US facility located near a US airbase in Erbil in the early hours of Sunday.

Iran’s state media outlets have also reported that the attack was against Israeli strategic “Mossad training centres” located in Erbil.

The timing couldn’t be more poignant, as the tension between the West and Russia reach a fever pitch over Ukraine, and also as the P5+ 1 nations attempt to revive the failed 2015 JCPOA Iran nuclear deal, which is now facing collapse after a last-minute request by the Russian delegation to ‘pause’ negotiations for an undetermined time.

Reuters reports…

The missiles, which targeted the U.S. consulate’s new building and a neighbouring residential area, caused only material damage and one civilian was injured, the Kurdish interior ministry said. An Iraqi security official told Reuters that the missiles were manufactured in Iran.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards released a statement taking responsibility for the missile attack against Israeli “strategic centres” in Erbil, Iran’s state media reported.

BREAKING:

At least 6 Fateh-110 missiles have just been launched from Tabriz, Iran against the American Consulate in Erbil, Iraq.

Massive explosions have been recorded by Iraqi civilians near the consulate. pic.twitter.com/ZZ5x4lWqL1

— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) March 12, 2022

“Any repetition of attacks by Israel will be met with a harsh, decisive and destructive response,” the Revolutionary Guard said in the statement.

A U.S. official blamed Iran for the attack earlier on Sunday but did not give further details.

A Kurdish spokesperson for the regional authorities said that Sunday’s attack only targeted civilian residential areas, not a foreign base and called on the international community to carry out an investigation.

Get Clive de Carle's Natural Health essentials of the finest quality, including vitamin & mineral supplements here.

Separately, a U.S. State Department spokesperson called it an “outrageous attack” but said no Americans were hurt and there was no damage to U.S. government facilities in Erbil. U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Mathew H. Tueller condemned the attack and said “Iranian regime elements have claimed responsibility for this attack and must be held accountable.”

France’s foreign ministry said Sunday’s missile strike on Erbil threatened efforts to conclude nuclear talks with Iran.

U.S. forces stationed at Erbil’s international airport complex have in the past come under fire from rocket and drone attacks that Washington blames on Iran-aligned militia groups, but no such attacks have occurred for several months.

Asked about Sunday’s attack, Israel’s military said it did not comment on reports in the foreign press and the prime minister’s office declined to comment.

READ MORE IRAN NEWS AT: 21st Century Wire Iran Files

PLEASE HELP SUPPORT OUR INDEPENDENT MEDIA PLATFORM HERE