IRGC Missile Attack on Erbil; US Intends to Strengthen Iraq’s Missile Defense

The US State Department “strongly” condemned the missile attacks launched by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on the Iraqi city of Erbil on the evening of March 11 and called the action “criminal.”

Meanwhile, Jake Sullivan, US National Security Advisor, said on Sunday that Washington is seeking to help Iraq acquire the capability to defend itself with missiles.

Sullivan told CBS News: “We are in consultations with the Iraqi government and the government in Iraqi Kurdistan to acquire missile defense capabilities to defend their cities.”

Emphasizing that there were no casualties or material losses in last night’s attacks, he said the US would take every measure to protect its people, interests, and allies.

During the missile attack Saturday night, 12 ballistic missiles were fired at Erbil, the center of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.

The IRGC claimed responsibility for the missile attacks on Erbil, saying the attack was in response to the killing of two IRGC members in Syria and that a “strategic center of conspiracy and mischief” affiliated with Israel was the target of the attack, stating it has the “right” to respond to this attack.

The statement provided no details or evidence regarding this center or its affiliation with Israel.

Majid Takht-Ravanchi, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations, also wrote on Saturday in a letter to the UN Secretary-General and the rotating president of the UN Security Council that Tehran reserves the right to respond to Israeli actions.

Meanwhile, Ned Price, spokesperson for the US State Department, condemning the Iranian missile attacks on Erbil, called it an “unjust violation of Iraqi sovereignty” and said Iran should immediately stop the attacks and respect Iraqi sovereignty.

He added that Iran should stop interfering in Iraq’s internal affairs and emphasized that the United States stands with its Iraqi partners, including the Iraqi Kurdistan region, and will help them defend themselves.

Price also said Saturday night’s attacks resulted in no casualties or damage to American facilities, and there is still no indication that America was the target of these attacks.

Simultaneously, Iraq’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the Iranian Ambassador in Baghdad on Sunday, March 12, in protest of the attacks and handed over the government’s protest note to him.

Mustafa al-Kadhimi, Prime Minister of Iraq, also described the attack as “an assault on the security of the Iraqi people” in a tweet.

Kadhimi announced that Iraqi security forces are investigating the matter and will stand “firm” against any threats.

The Iraqi government stated that it is waiting to receive a “clear and explicit” response from Iran through diplomatic channels regarding the aforementioned missile attack.

In the meantime, Wendy Sherman, Deputy Secretary of State of the United States, in an interview with Fox News, called the IRGC missile attack “concerning” and said in her opinion “the American consulate in Erbil was the target of the attacks.”

The missiles fired landed near the US Consulate in Erbil, but Sherman said no Americans were harmed in the attack and no damage was inflicted on US facilities in Erbil.

The Deputy Secretary of State of the United States further said that the attack was a violation of “Iraqi sovereignty” and America will closely follow this matter.

Sherman clarified that after resolving the nuclear dispute, the United States will also address Iran’s hostile behaviors.

Source: Radio Farda