Erbil, July 28
Several explosions rocked Erbil in northern Iraq early Tuesday, including near the US Consulate, as Iranian drones targeted multiple locations across the region.
Citing police sources, Al Jazeera reported that at least four Iranian drones targeted locations in northern Iraq's Khalifan and Soran areas, located northeast of Erbil.
The attack caused huge fires in and around the targeted areas, with police reporting that two drones crashed near the targeted sites.
At least seven explosions were also heard across Erbil, including in areas near the U.S. Consulate, Al Jazeera reported, citing Iraqi local media.
In response to the suspected Iranian drone attack, police sources told Al Jazeera that "more than ten US warplanes and drones are reportedly flying over Erbil."
Additionally, Iranian state broadcaster IRIB, citing Iraqi sources, reported the destruction of an American drone in Al Anbar province, with local media publishing images of a US drone crash near the Haditha Dam.
The strikes were accompanied by wider military activity across northern and western Iraq. IRIB reported that the Khor Mor gas field in Sulaymaniyah was attacked.
The strikes come as US President Donald Trump said on Monday that he is prepared to resume "very strong military action" against Iran if ongoing diplomatic efforts fail, even as he confirmed that he had paused planned strikes on the Islamic Republic to allow negotiations another opportunity, according to a report by Axios.
According to Axios, the current negotiations are focused on reaching a new agreement that would reopen the Strait of Hormuz and revive discussions on a broader nuclear deal with Iran.
The talks are being led primarily by Iran and Oman, with Qatar, Pakistan, Egypt, and Trump's Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Senior Adviser Jared Kushner also playing active roles.
Speaking to Axios, Trump indicated that while diplomacy remains the preferred path for now, military action remains an option if negotiations do not produce results.
"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.
When asked how much time he was willing to allow for diplomacy, Trump told Axios, "Not much time. Either it goes fast or not at all."
According to Axios, Trump said he decided to suspend planned US strikes after countries involved in mediation efforts, along with several regional governments, urged him to give negotiations another chance.
— ANI
Reader Comments
India should be watching this closely. We have millions of citizens in the Gulf and our energy security depends on the Strait of Hormuz. If Iran and the US go to war, we'll be caught in the middle. Diplomacy is the only sane option – hope the talks succeed before more lives are lost. 🙏
As an American, I'm tired of these endless Middle East conflicts. We've been in Iraq for 20 years and what has it achieved? Trump's tough talk is just for the cameras. The real solution is a comprehensive nuclear deal that includes all regional powers, including India and Pakistan.
Iran attacking Iraqi soil is a violation of sovereignty, no matter the target. Iraq has suffered enough from foreign interventions. The drones near the US consulate are a clear provocation. But Trump's threat of "very strong military action" is reckless – it's ordinary civilians who pay the price. Modiji should use his influence to calm things down.
The Strait of Hormuz issue is key. Iran's threats to close it affect global oil prices, and India is one of the biggest importers. We need to diversify our energy sources. Also, the Khor Mor gas field attack shows this isn't just about the US – it's destabilizing the entire region. Diplomacy must prevail.
Honestly, both sides need to de-escalate. Iran's drone attacks are irresponsible, but the US has a history of overreacting. The fact that Pakistan, Oman, and Qatar are involved is promising – they understand the regional dynamics. Let's hope the talks succeed because
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.