Kurdistan Regional Government Spokesperson: The Islamic Republic Lacks the Courage to Attack Israeli Bases

Pishva Horami, spokesperson for the Kurdistan Regional Government, in an interview with Voice of America, described the Islamic Republic's claims regarding the presence of Mossad members, Israel's intelligence and special operations agency, in the region as 'baseless accusations' and stated that 'ordinary people' are the victims of the recent missile attack by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on the Kurdistan region of Iraq. According to Pishva Horami, this attack resulted in the deaths of women, men, and children, including an eight-month-old baby. The IRGC reported multiple missile attacks on Erbil, Iraq, claiming to target Mossad bases on the evening of January 15. The spokesperson emphasized that the Iranian government lacks the 'courage' to openly attack Israeli bases and resorts to accusations against the Kurdistan region to 'free itself from the current situation.' This Kurdish official noted that the Iranian government does not respond to Israeli attacks on IRGC forces or positions of its supported groups in Syria. Following the killing of Razi Mousavi, a senior IRGC member in Syria on December 25, Iranian officials identified Israel as responsible for his death and threatened retaliatory actions against the country. Israel has refrained from confirming or denying involvement in this operation. Pishva Horami called for an end to 'aggressions' against the Kurdistan region and for both domestic and international support for establishing democracy, peace, and security in the area. The spokesperson highlighted that 'the Arab League, the federal government, and the superpowers of the world should stand alongside the region' and be the main supporters of 'establishing democracy, peace, and security' in this area. The Arab League condemned the IRGC's missile attack on Erbil, labeling it 'a blatant violation of Iraq's sovereignty' and 'a gross violation of the principles of good neighborliness and international law.' This local official also expressed hope for investigations by the central Iraqi government in the near future and for more serious reactions regarding this matter. Iraqi officials criticized the recent missile attack by the IRGC and filed a complaint with the United Nations Security Council. Reports indicate that in Iran's attack on Pakistan, which faced a retaliatory strike from that country, several civilians and children were killed on both sides of the border. Following the IRGC's attacks on Iraq, Syria, and Pakistan, U.S. officials expressed concern over escalating tensions in the region. Matthew Miller, spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, referred to the Islamic Republic as a 'financial supporter of terrorism' and a source of instability in the region, stating that Washington 'absolutely' does not want to see an escalation of conflict between Iran and Pakistan. The UK 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. Pakistan expressed outrage over the deadly Iranian attack, recalling its ambassador from Tehran. The Iraqi Foreign Minister rejected the Islamic Republic's claims, stating that Mossad has no base in the Kurdistan region of Iraq.