Iranian drone strikes hit northern Iraq, explosions reported near US Consulate in Erbil

A series of explosions struck Iraq's northern city of Erbil early on Tuesday after Iranian drones targeted multiple locations in the Kurdistan region, including areas near the US Consulate, according to Al Jazeera, citing police sources and local media.

Police sources said at least four Iranian drones targeted the Khalifan and Soran areas, northeast of Erbil. The strikes triggered large fires around the impact sites, while two drones reportedly crashed near the targeted locations.

At least seven explosions were heard across Erbil, including close to the US Consulate, Iraqi local media reported, according to Al Jazeera. Following the attacks, police sources said more than 10 US warplanes and drones were seen flying over the city.


Iranian state broadcaster IRIB, citing Iraqi sources, reported that an American drone had been destroyed in Iraq's Al Anbar province. Local media also published images purportedly showing the wreckage of a US drone near the Haditha Dam.

Separately, IRIB said the Khor Mor gas field in Sulaymaniyah also came under attack as military activity intensified across northern and western Iraq.

The strikes came hours after US President Donald Trump said he was prepared to resume "very strong military action" against Iran if ongoing diplomatic efforts fail, according to Axios. Trump said negotiations aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz and reviving talks on a broader nuclear agreement were underway, but warned that the window for diplomacy was limited.

"We are in very deep talks with Iran. If they don't work out, we will go back to very strong military action," Trump told Axios, adding that the talks would either "go fast or not at all." According to the report, Trump paused planned US strikes after mediating countries and regional governments urged Washington to give negotiations more time.

(With inputs from ANI)