Sources within Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq have denied reports claiming that Iranian ballistic missiles were launched toward northern Iraq, describing them as baseless.

An informed IRGC source told Al Mayadeen that the allegations of Iranian ballistic missile launches targeting northern Iraq are false, dismissing the claims as "rumors promoted by enemy-affiliated media platforms."

Meanwhile, Al Mayadeen Plus correspondent in al-Sulaymaniyyah cited sources in the Kurdistan Region who also rejected the reports, saying there is "no truth to claims that the region was subjected to a missile strike."

Earlier today, Israeli media platforms alleged that "Iran had launched an attack on Israeli bases in Iraq, targeting military positions belonging to armed Kurdish militias operating on behalf of Israel."

Previous IRGC strikes on Iraqi Kurdistan

Iran’s IRGC has carried out multiple missile and drone strikes in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq over recent years, targeting terrorist groups and Mossad-linked intelligence sites. Notably, on March 13, 2022, the IRGC launched a strike on an Israeli strategic center in Erbil, hitting over 10 targets near the Saladin resort area. 

In late 2022, a series of operations targeted positions of Iranian-Kurdish opposition groups like the KDPI and Komala, accused by Tehran of fueling unrest in Iran. These included multiple artillery and drone strikes in September and November. Iran described the actions as legitimate self-defense under international law, citing increased cross-border threats and demands for the disarmament of these groups.

A major escalation occurred on January 15, 2024, when the IRGC launched 24 ballistic missiles, striking Mossad headquarters in Erbil. The 2024 attack killed Kurdish businessman Peshraw Dizayee, whom Iran accused of espionage for Mossad.