Houthis Fire 5 Ballistic Missiles at Bab el-Mandeb

Iraq's Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi has launched an investigation into a drone attack that targeted the office of Kurdistan's Prime Minister Masrour Barzani and the home of the region's intelligence chief. The Kurdistan authorities swiftly blamed Tehran for the assault, alleging the drones were launched from Iranian territory. However, Iran has vehemently denied involvement, characterizing the incident as a suspicious ploy designed to damage bilateral relations between the two nations.

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Nothing justifies the reckless attack on PM Barzani's office. Kurdish friends should be vigilant against false-flag ploys to sow discord between neighbors.

This attack escalates already heightened tensions in the region. The Kurdistan region, which hosts U.S. troops and foreign oil firms, has been a frequent target of attacks from Iran and pro-Iran armed groups operating within Iraq. Since the start of the Middle East conflict, the region has endured over 1,000 such attacks. Drones have been repeatedly intercepted over Erbil, the regional capital, and have also struck rebel groups and U.S. interests.

Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei condemned the attack, calling it a "highly suspicious development that requires vigilance and careful attention." In a phone call with his Iraqi counterpart, Iran's top diplomat Abbas Araghchi stated, "Nothing justifies the reckless attack on PM Barzani's office. Kurdish friends should be vigilant against false-flag ploys to sow discord between neighbors." U.S. President Donald Trump's special envoy to Iraq, Tom Barrack, also condemned the aggression, calling it "unacceptable and a direct threat to regional stability."

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we strongly condemn the attack on our friend and valued Kurdish partner Barzani, adding that the aggression was unacceptable and a direct threat to regional stability.

Separately, an explosion at a petroleum products depot in eastern Iraqi Kurdistan injured 18 people, according to Rudaw media. The cause of this blast remains unspecified. The drone attack comes as Iraq faces pressure from the United States to disarm powerful Iran-backed armed factions by September 30, coinciding with the end of the U.S.-led anti-ISIS coalition's mission. Many of these factions, which have grown in political and financial influence, have long called for the withdrawal of American troops.

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describing it as a highly suspicious development that requires vigilance and careful attention