Iraqi security authorities on Tuesday reiterated that they would continue pursuing those who launched explosive-laden drones against neighboring countries, saying investigations were ongoing to identify those behind attacks on Saudi territory. Lt. Gen. Saad Maan, head of Iraq’s Security Media Cell, said an intelligence committee had located the launch site inside Iraq. “The investigation is ongoing, with the use of intelligence and technical capabilities, forensic evidence, fingerprints and other details needed to complete the investigation and identify those who committed this act,” Maan told the state news agency. Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi had relieved the commander of operations in the southern province of Maysan of his duties and dismissed the provincial police chief and other security officials after it was established that the attacks targeting Saudi Arabia had been launched from a site in the province. Maan said the priority was to identify the perpetrators, stressing that Iraq would not allow attacks on countries in the region. He said Baghdad had contacted Saudi authorities to explain the measures taken by the government. Iran later formally asked Iraq to participate in the investigation, a request Zaidi approved, according to the government’s military spokesman. Talabani-Araghchi Talks Separately, Patriotic Union of Kurdistan President Bafel Talabani held a series of meetings with Iranian leaders during a visit to Tehran on Tuesday, beginning with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said the visit, made at Araghchi’s invitation, was part of Iran’s continuing consultations with the Iraqi government and the Kurdistan Regional Government to expand bilateral relations and strengthen regional peace and stability, economic cooperation and border security. Talabani’s visit came a day after several areas of Sulaymaniyah, the PUK’s stronghold, were hit by five missiles believed to be Iranian, leading sources and observers to suggest that the visit would focus on security. A PUK statement said Talabani and Araghchi discussed the latest developments in the region. A senior Kurdish source said Talabani was expected to raise a broad range of security, political and economic issues. The source said security remained a priority because of repeated attacks by Iran and its allied factions in Iraq on the Kurdistan Region, ostensibly over the presence of Iranian Kurdish parties there. At least six Iranian Kurdish opposition parties operate in Iraqi Kurdistan, including the Kurdistan Democratic Party of Iran, the Party for a Free Life in Kurdistan (PJAK) and Komala. They agreed earlier this year to coordinate under the Coalition of Political Forces of Iranian Kurdistan. The source said Talabani could ask Tehran to press its factions and allies in Iraq to reduce pressure and attacks on the region. Baghdad and Tehran signed a security agreement in 2023 aimed at securing their shared border and neutralizing Iranian opposition groups in Iraqi Kurdistan, including by closing and relocating their bases about 50 kilometers from the Iranian border. Those measures, however, have not prevented continued Iranian attacks on the Kurdistan Region.
