Amir-Abdollahian Denies the Death of a Child in IRGC Attack in Erbil, Iraq

The Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic reacted to criticisms regarding the missile attack on Erbil, Iraq, and the death of a child, stating that "we do not have any documentation regarding the death of a child in Iraq." This comes despite previous confirmation from Peshwa Horami, spokesperson for the Kurdistan Regional Government, in an interview with Voice of America, that the attack resulted in the deaths of women, men, and children, including an eight-month-old child. Additionally, Amir-Abdollahian denied the allegations of 'child-killing' by the Islamic Republic in Iraq during a phone conversation with Dutch Foreign Minister Hanke Bruins Slot, asserting that Iran's actions are aimed at "effectively combating terrorism within the framework of international law and legitimate defense." This phone call occurred after the Dutch Foreign Minister announced on Friday, January 19, that the Iranian ambassador to the Netherlands was summoned due to the death of a Dutch child in the IRGC's attack on Erbil. The Dutch Foreign Minister condemned the IRGC's attack on the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, identifying the deceased child as a Dutch citizen under one year old. The airstrike on the evening of Monday, January 16, by the IRGC into the Kurdistan Region provoked severe protests from Iraq and Kurdistan officials, Arab countries, and Western nations. The Iraqi Foreign Ministry issued a statement on Tuesday condemning Iran's "aggression" against Erbil, which resulted in civilian casualties in residential areas. Following the IRGC's attacks on Iraq, Syria, and Pakistan, U.S. officials expressed concern over escalating tensions in the region. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasized the condemnation of the Islamic Republic's attack on Erbil during a meeting with Masrour Barzani, Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, at the World Economic Forum in Davos. Matthew Miller, spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, stated that "we oppose Iran's baseless missile attacks that undermine Iraq's stability and support the efforts of the Iraqi government and the Kurdistan Regional Government to meet their people's demands." The U.S. State Department spokesperson also referred to Iran as a "financial supporter of terrorism" and a source of instability in the region regarding the IRGC's attack on Pakistan but clarified that Washington does not want to escalate tensions between Iran and Pakistan. The reactions from Iraqi officials and citizens to the IRGC's missile attacks on Erbil were reported by Soran Khatiri. The Netherlands summoned the Iranian ambassador to protest the death of a Dutch child in the IRGC's attack on Erbil. The spokesperson for the Kurdistan Regional Government stated that the Islamic Republic lacks the courage to attack Israeli bases. Britain strongly criticized the Islamic Republic for the attack in northern Iraq, where a British national was killed. The Arab League condemned the IRGC's missile attack on Erbil, stating that Iran violated Iraq's sovereignty. Continued reactions to the IRGC's provocations in neighboring countries; China called for "restraint" from Iran and Pakistan. The Iraqi Foreign Minister rejected the Islamic Republic's claims; Mossad does not have a base in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. The IRGC confirmed the attack with "missiles and drones" on Pakistani territory.