In a violent attack, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard announced early this Tuesday that it targeted espionage centers and anti-Iran gatherings in Erbil province, northern Iraq, with several ballistic missiles. While multiple U.S. officials denied that the Revolutionary Guard targeted American facilities, confirming there were no American casualties, there were reports of an attack on a Kurdish businessman and his family. The Revolutionary Guard claimed responsibility for the attack, stating, "We bombed espionage headquarters of anti-Iran groups in Erbil."
Three security sources informed Reuters that Erbil Airport halted air traffic after the sound of explosions was heard over the city. Kurdish media reported that the Iranian missiles targeting Erbil were launched from the Iranian city of Kermanshah. Kurdish media also stated that "the bombardment in Erbil killed two people and injured five others." Late at night, Reuters quoted U.S. officials saying, "No American facilities were targeted by missiles in Erbil, and there were no American losses." There were reports of the Kurdish businessman Peshro Dzi and his family being killed in the bombardment of Erbil. Peshro owns Falcon Group and is close to the Barzani family.
Additionally, an Iranian security source confirmed that "the results of the investigation into the Kermanshah attack proved that the planners of the attack were trained in centers in northern Iraq." The source added that "the attack was carried out with various ballistic missiles, including Fateh 110 missiles." The Iranian Guard announced that "the Islamic State was targeted in Syria in response to terrorist attacks carried out by the organization recently in Iran." It stated, "In response to the recent crimes committed by the enemies against the Islamic Republic, we announce the targeting of spy headquarters and anti-Iran terrorist gatherings in parts of the region at midnight with several ballistic missiles." It confirmed in its statement that the targets were destroyed, noting that details would be revealed later.
In a later announcement, the Guards confirmed the "targeting of a Mossad headquarters in northern Iraq with several destructive ballistic missiles." The statement read: "The Mossad headquarters in the Kurdistan region of Iraq was targeted in retaliation for the assassination by the Zionist entity of leaders in the Revolutionary Guard, Mr. Reza, and resistance axis leader Sheikh al-Aarouri, Wisam al-Tawil, and Abu Taqwa." Three security sources reported that explosions were heard in an area about 40 kilometers from Erbil, near the U.S. consulate and civilian residences.
