Iran Launches Strikes on Alleged Israeli Spy HQ in Iraq

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n a move that has escalated tensions in the Middle East, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have claimed responsibility for launching strikes on what they describe as the “spy headquarters” of Israel in Northern Iraq. The announcement came on January 15, with state media reporting the attacks as retaliation for recent actions by the Israeli military.

The Revolutionary Guards stated that the strikes were in response to what they referred to as “recent atrocities of the Zionist regime,” accusing Israel of causing the deaths of their commanders and members of the “Axis of Resistance.” The statement indicated that one of Mossad’s main espionage centers in Northern Iraq was targeted and destroyed using ballistic missiles.

While Reuters could not independently verify the claim, the Iranian move underscores the growing complexity of the conflict that originated with the genocide in Gaza on October 7. The conflict has since witnessed involvement from Iran’s allies in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and Yemen, further destabilizing the region.

Hitting a residential area near the U.S. consulate

The Iranian strikes reportedly hit a residential area near the U.S. consulate in Erbil, the capital of Northern Iraq. The attacks also included the firing of ballistic missiles in Syria, targeting what the Revolutionary Guards identified as the perpetrators of terrorist operations, including the Islamic State. However, the accuracy of these claims remains uncertain.

Iraq has condemned Iran’s actions in Erbil, stating that the attacks led to civilian casualties in residential areas. The Iraqi government has pledged to take legal measures against what it considers a violation of Iraq’s sovereignty, with plans to file a complaint at the United Nations Security Council.

The U.S. State Department has condemned the attacks near Erbil, describing them as “reckless.” However, officials mentioned that no U.S. facilities were targeted, and there were no reported U.S. casualties. The United States expressed support for Iraq’s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity.

Revenge

The Iranian Revolutionary Guards had previously vowed revenge for the killing of three of their members in Syria, including a senior commander. The ongoing genocide in Gaza has witnessed increased involvement from various regional actors, leading to concerns about further escalation.

As tensions continue to rise in the Middle East, international observers are closely monitoring developments in the region, with fears of a wider conflict involving multiple nations. The situation remains fluid, with the potential for more retaliatory actions and a deepening of hostilities.

Source: Reuters