IRGC missile attack on Erbil; US plans to strengthen Iraq's missile defense

The US State Department "strongly" condemned the missile attacks by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps on Erbil, Iraq, on the evening of March 11, calling it a "criminal" act.

Meanwhile, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said on Sunday that Washington is trying to help Iraq acquire a missile capability to defend itself.

"We are in discussions with the Iraqi government and the government in Iraqi Kurdistan to get missile defense capabilities to defend their cities," Mr. Sullivan told CBS News.

Emphasizing that there were no casualties or property losses in last evening's attacks, he said that the United States will take every measure to protect its people, interests, and allies.

During the missile attack on Saturday night, 12 ballistic missiles were fired at Erbil, the capital of the Iraqi Kurdistan Region.

The Revolutionary Guards claimed responsibility for the missile attacks on Erbil, claiming that the attack was in response to the killing of two soldiers in Syria and that the "strategic center of conspiracy and evil" affiliated with Israel was targeted, and that it "considers it its right" to respond to this attack.

The statement did not provide any details or evidence about the center, nor 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 Secretary-General of the United Nations and the rotating president of the organization's Security Council that Tehran reserves the right to respond to Israel's actions.

Meanwhile, US State Department spokesman Ned Price condemned Iran's missile attacks on Erbil, calling it a "gross violation of Iraq's sovereignty" and said that Iran must immediately stop the attacks and respect Iraq's sovereignty.

He added that Iran must stop interfering in Iraq's internal affairs and stressed that the United States stands with Iraqi partners, including the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, and will help them defend themselves.

Mr. Price also said that the attacks on Saturday evening did not result in any casualties or damage to US facilities, and that there was no indication yet that the United States was the target of these attacks.

At the same time, on Sunday, March 12, the Iraqi Foreign Ministry summoned the Iranian ambassador to Baghdad in protest of these attacks and handed him a note of protest from the country's government.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi also tweeted, describing the attack as "an attack on the security of the Iraqi people."

Mr. Kazemi announced that Iraqi security forces are investigating the matter and will stand "firmly" against any threat.

The Iraqi government has announced that it is waiting to receive a "transparent and explicit" response from Iran regarding the missile attack through diplomatic channels.

Meanwhile, in an interview with Fox News, US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman called the IRGC missile attack "concerning" and said that she believed "the US consulate in Erbil was the target of the attacks."

The missiles landed near the US consulate in Erbil, but Ms. Sherman said no Americans were injured in the attack and no damage was done to US facilities in Erbil.

The US Deputy Secretary of State went on to say that this was an attack on "Iraqi sovereignty" and that the US would follow the matter closely.

Ms. Sherman stated that after resolving the nuclear dispute, the United States will also address Iran's hostile behavior.

Source: Radio Farda