Iran Claims Responsibility for Missile Barrage Near US Consulate in Iraq

    Photo: Reuters [via The Guardian]

    The Facts

    • Iran has claimed responsibility for a missile attack in Iraq, declaring it a response to an Israeli airstrike in Syria that killed two members of the Revolutionary Guard.

    • About 12 missiles struck near the US consulate in Erbil, Iraq's Kurdish capital, on Sunday.


    The Spin

    Pro-establishment narrative

    This must be the last straw for the Iran nuclear deal. The US has no choice but to display a strong military response or risk looking weak on the world stage.

    Establishment-critical narrative

    Iraqi Kurdistan has become a hotbed of American and Israeli spies. It's quite obvious that Mossad is active in the territory, making it fair game for attacks.

    Narrative C

    Iran likely did not seek to kill anyone, but to put pressure on the US regarding the nuclear deal. Tehran is likely saying that it can continue to escalate in Iraq if a deal is not struck in Vienna soon.



    Establishment split

    CRITICAL

    PRO

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