The US' claim about downing an Iranian drone proves its conspiracy with terrorists and separatists, and that they are cooperating with these groups," Major General Mohammad Bagheri said on Friday.

"If Americans carry out any action against Iranian drones, the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran will respond to their hostile measure," Bagheri added, stressing that "Iran reserves the right to retaliate," and the armed forces "have full and precise details related to the US bases of Harir, Erbil, and Duhok in Iraq."

The IRGC announced Wednesday that it was launching an operation that included missile and armed drone strikes targeting the headquarters of the Komala Party and Kurdistan Democratic Party terrorist groups after the groups illegally sent armed individuals to Iranian cities over the past few days.

The Iranian forces clarified that this came after Tehran had on various occasions warned the officials of the Iraqi Kurdistan region about terrorist groups and their activities in the northern region. However, according to the IRGC, the local authorities failed to take proper measures to curb terrorist activity.

Later, the United States announced the killing of a US citizen in a rocket attack on the northern Iraqi region of Kurdistan.

"We can confirm that a US citizen was killed as a result of a rocket attack in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region yesterday, but due to privacy considerations, I don't have any further comments to provide," US State Department deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel told a press briefing.