Iraq recalls envoy from Iran after attack on 'Israeli spy HQ'

The Iraqi government will take all legal measures against these actions that are considered a violation of Iraq's sovereignty and the security of its people.

 People demonstrate in front of the United Nations headquarters, following missile attacks by Iran's Revolutionary Guards, in Erbil, Iraq, January 16, 2024.  (photo credit: REUTERS/AZAD LASHKARI)
People demonstrate in front of the United Nations headquarters, following missile attacks by Iran's Revolutionary Guards, in Erbil, Iraq, January 16, 2024.
(photo credit: REUTERS/AZAD LASHKARI)

Iraq condemned on Tuesday Iran's "aggression" on Erbil that led to civilian casualties in residential areas, according to a statement by the country's foreign ministry, after its Revolutionary Guards said they attacked Israel's "spy headquarters" in Iraq's Kurdistan region. 

The Iraqi government will take all legal measures against these actions that are considered a violation of Iraq's sovereignty and the security of its people, including filing a complaint at the United Nations Security Council.

 IRGC COMMANDER-in-Chief Major General Hossein Salami speaks during an exercise at Abu Musa Island, near the entrance to the Strait of Hormuz, earlier this month.  (credit: IRGC/West Asia News Agency/Reuters)
IRGC COMMANDER-in-Chief Major General Hossein Salami speaks during an exercise at Abu Musa Island, near the entrance to the Strait of Hormuz, earlier this month. (credit: IRGC/West Asia News Agency/Reuters)

Iraq summons Iranian official

Iraq has summoned the Iranian chargé d'affaires in Baghdad to protest against attacks on a number of areas in Erbil in Iraqi Kurdistan on Monday, the state news agency reported on Tuesday.

Additionally, France accused Iran on Tuesday of violating Iraq's sovereignty after Iran's Revolutionary Guards claimed to have struck a purported Israeli "spy headquarters" in Iraq's semi-autonomous Kurdistan region.

"Such acts represent blatant, unacceptable and worrying violations of Iraq's sovereignty and an attack on its stability and security, as well as that of Kurdistan within it," France's Foreign Ministry said in a statement. "They contribute to the escalation of regional tensions and must stop."

Iraq recalled on Tuesday its ambassador from Tehran to discuss the recent Iranian attack on the city of Erbil, according to a statement by the country's Foreign Ministry.