Iraq probing drone strike on Kurdistan PM’s office, as Iran warns of ‘false-flag ploys’

Iraq announced an investigation into an overnight drone attack on the office of Kurdistan Regional Government Prime Minister Masrour Barzani and the home of the region's intelligence chief. Kurdish authorities blamed Iran, saying two explosive-laden Hadid-110 drones were launched from Iranian territory. Iran's foreign ministry condemned the attack as a 'false-flag ploy' to sow discord. US envoy Tom Barrack condemned the attack. Separately, an explosion at a petroleum depot in eastern Iraqi Kurdistan injured 18 people.

Iraq said on Monday it would investigate an overnight drone attack on the office of Kurdistan Regional Government Prime Minister Masrour Barzani and the home of the region's intelligence chief. Kurdish authorities blamed Tehran, stating two explosive-laden Hadid-110 drones were launched from Iranian territory. Iran's foreign ministry condemned the attack, with top diplomat Abbas Araghchi calling it a 'false-flag ploy' to sow discord between neighbors. US President Donald Trump's special envoy Tom Barrack strongly condemned the attack as 'unacceptable and a direct threat to regional stability.' The attack comes amid heightened tensions, with Iraq under US pressure to disarm pro-Iran armed groups by September 30. Separately, an explosion at a petroleum products depot in eastern Iraqi Kurdistan injured 18 people, with no reported fatalities. The Kurdistan region has been targeted with more than 1,000 attacks by Tehran and pro-Iran groups since the start of the Middle East war.