Iraqi PM Al Sudani slams Iranian strike as 'clear aggression'
A general view shows the destroyed home of Iraqi Kurdish businessman Peshraw Dizayee, who was killed along with other members of his family, in an overnight missile attack targeting the city of Irbil, northern Iraq, Jan. 16, 2024.


Iraq's Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al Sudani criticized the recent Iranian missile strike in Irbil as a "clear aggression" against his country and a dangerous development posing a threat to the strong bilateral ties.

The government reserves the right to take any diplomatic and legal measures that its sovereignty allows, Al Sudani said Tuesday.

Earlier in the day, Iraq recalled its ambassador from Iran, condemning as a "clear act of aggression" deadly missile strikes by its ally.

UN 'very concerned' about Iran's strikes in Syria, Iraq

The U.N. said Tuesday it is "very concerned" about Iran's reported ballistic strikes in Syria and Iraq as it urged "maximum restraint."

"We once again urge maximum restraint and avoid any further escalation in a region that is ... already volatile," said spokesperson Stephane Dujarric, adding that this kind of situation can also lead to a miscalculation by parties with even worse consequences.

"The Secretary General further underlines that all security concerns between Iraq and Iran must be addressed through peaceful means, and dialogue in accordance with the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity, and good neighborly relations," he added.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said late Monday that it launched ballistic missiles against positions of "anti-Iran terrorist groups" and their backers in Syria and Iraq.

The IRGC also claimed to have destroyed the local headquarters of the Israeli spy agency Mossad in Irbil.

At least four people were killed and six injured in the attacks, according to the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) in northern Iraq.

The Iraqi government has termed the attacks an act of aggression and a violation of the country's sovereignty.