Baghdad/Tehran: Several explosions rocked Erbil in northern Iraq early on Tuesday as suspected Iranian drones struck multiple sites across the region, including areas near the US consulate, according to reports.
Al Jazeera, citing police sources, said at least four Iranian drones hit targets in Khalifan and Soran, northeast of Erbil. The strikes sparked large fires in and around the affected zones, and police reported two drones crashed close to their intended targets, as reported by NDTV.
Local Iraqi media reported at least seven blasts across Erbil, including near the US consulate, Al Jazeera said. Police sources told Al Jazeera that “more than ten US warplanes and drones are reportedly flying over Erbil” in response to the suspected Iranian drone strikes.
Iranian state broadcaster IRIB, citing Iraqi sources, reported that an American drone had been destroyed in Al Anbar province. Local outlets published images showing a US drone wreckage near the Haditha Dam, IRIB said.
IRIB also said the strikes extended beyond Erbil, reporting attacks on the Khor Mor gas field in Sulaymaniyah and broader military activity in northern and western Iraq.
The incidents come amid renewed diplomatic moves and warnings from the United States. Axios reported on Monday that President Donald Trump told the outlet he was prepared to resume “very strong military action” against Iran if diplomacy fails, although he had temporarily halted planned strikes to give talks another chance.
According to Axios, current negotiations aim to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and revive a wider nuclear agreement with Iran. The talks are being led by Iran and Oman, with Qatar, Pakistan, Egypt, and US envoys — including Trump’s Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Senior Adviser Jared Kushner — also involved.
Speaking to Axios, Trump said diplomacy remains the preferred course but left military action on the table if negotiations falter.
“We are in very deep talks with Iran. If they don’t work out, we will go back to very strong military action,” he told the outlet. When asked how much time he was willing to allow for diplomacy, Trump said, “Not much time. Either it goes fast or not at all.”
Axios reported that Trump opted to suspend planned US strikes after mediation participants and several regional governments urged him to give negotiations another chance.
