Tensions Rise as Iranian Drones Strike Iraqi Kurdistan PM's Office

Two Iranian drones targeted the office of the Prime Minister of Iraqi Kurdistan and the home of the autonomous region’s intelligence chief.

“Following an investigation by the Kurdistan Counter-Terrorism Unit, my private office and the home of the head of the Security and Intelligence Agency were targeted by Iranian drone strikes today,” said Kurdistan Prime Minister Masrour Barzani in a post on social media platform X.

“This is a dangerous escalation and a direct threat to the security and stability of the Kurdistan Region,” he added, as reported by AFP news agency on Monday (17/8/2026).

The regional Counter-Terrorism Directorate said there were no casualties in the attack.

“Two Hadid-110 drones loaded with explosives were launched from across the Iranian border towards the private office of the Kurdistan Region’s prime minister and the residence of the director of the Parastin Agency,” the regional Counter-Terrorism Directorate said in a statement.

Since the start of the Middle East war, the Kurdistan Region, which hosts US forces, foreign oil companies and exiled rebels from Iran, has been the target of more than 1,000 attacks by Iran and pro-Iranian armed groups in Iraq.

Drones have been repeatedly intercepted over the Kurdish capital Erbil, while others have targeted rebels and US interests.

Tehran accuses exiled Kurdish opposition groups of serving Western and Israeli interests. Iran has continued to launch attacks against them, even during a regional ceasefire announced in April, which ultimately failed.

The groups have largely vacated their bases and camps in Kurdistan since the US and Israeli war against Iran began.

Earlier on 17 July, drone and rocket attacks killed nine people near the city of Sulaimaniyah in the eastern part of the region.