Iranian forces have launched a military operation against Kurdish armed groups in northern Iraq while continuing missile and drone strikes against Israel and United States assets across the Middle East. The attacks mark the 19th wave of Iranian retaliation since the regional conflict escalated nearly a week ago.
Iranian state media reported that the strikes targeted what it described as “anti-Iran separatist forces” operating from Iraq’s semi-autonomous Kurdish region.
Explosions Reported in Northern Iraq
Several explosions were reported in Sulaymaniyah, with local media confirming at least four blasts near the areas of Arabat, Zarkuiz, and Surdash.
According to local sources, the attacks focused on bases linked to the Kurdistan Toilers Association, commonly known as Komala.
Images shared online showed fires burning at the site of a drone strike in the Kurdish region, raising fears of further escalation.
Kurdish Groups and US Allegations
The strikes come amid reports that Iranian Kurdish armed groups have recently held discussions with the United States about possible operations against Iranian security forces.
According to reports cited by Reuters, Kurdish fighters near the Iran-Iraq border have been training for potential attacks aimed at weakening Iran’s military positions. Iranian media, however, denied claims that Kurdish fighters had crossed into Iranian territory.
Iran Launches New Attacks on Israel
At the same time, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced a fresh wave of missile and drone attacks targeting Israeli positions and United States assets in the region.
Israel’s air defence systems reportedly intercepted two drones over the western Galilee area. Other drones were also intercepted in Saudi Arabia, while authorities in Qatar ordered evacuations near the US embassy in Doha as a precaution.
Strikes Continue Across Iran
Meanwhile, Israeli and US forces continued air strikes across Iran, with explosions reported in several cities, including Tehran and Kurdish-majority regions such as Sanandaj, Saqqez, and Bukan.
The Israeli military said its air force destroyed a ballistic missile launch platform near the city of Qom, which it claimed was preparing to fire missiles, as reported by Al Jazeera.
Civilians Flee Tehran
The intensifying bombardment has forced many civilians to flee the Iranian capital. Residents reported hearing powerful explosions overnight, with shockwaves felt across eastern parts of Tehran.
Journalists on the ground say a significant portion of the city’s population has begun leaving for safer areas outside the capital, while many others remain amid growing fear and uncertainty.
Regional War Expands
The conflict between Iran, Israel, and the United States has now spread across several countries in the Middle East. Since the start of the war, more than 1,000 people have reportedly been killed in Iran, according to Iranian media reports.
With the fighting continuing to escalate, international observers fear the conflict could draw even more regional actors into what is already becoming one of the most dangerous confrontations in the Middle East in recent years.
