According to a US defense official and an Iraqi official, as many as 12 missiles struck near a massive US consulate complex in the northern Iraqi city of Irbil on Sunday.

There were no reported injuries in the incident, which signaled a significant escalation of tensions between the United States and Iran. Hostilities between the long-standing adversaries have frequently manifested themselves in Iraq, whose government is allied with both countries.

Iraqi officials in Baghdad first claimed that three missiles had struck the US embassy in Irbil, indicating that the consulate was the intended target of the strike. Later, Lawk Ghafari, the head of Kurdistan's international media office, stated that while none of the missiles struck the US base, regions surrounding it were targeted.

According to the US defense official, how many missiles were fired or where they landed was still unknown. A second US official stated no damage to any US government property. There was no indication the attack was directed at the embassy building, which is brand new and now vacant.

Both the Iraqi and US officials were not allowed to speak to the media about the incident and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.

Kurdistan24, a satellite broadcaster near the US consulate, quickly went on air after the attack, showing shattered glass and debris on their studio floor.

The incident came several days after Iran declared its intention to reach over an Israeli strike near Damascus, Syria, that killed two Revolutionary Guard soldiers. Iran's state-run IRNA news agency quoted Iraqi media on Sunday recognizing the strikes in Irbil without specifying their source.

Additionally, the missile barrage occurred amid regional tensions. Negotiations in Vienna over Iran's shattered nuclear deal have been put on hold due to Russian demands for penalties on Moscow for its war in Ukraine. Meanwhile, Iran terminated covert Baghdad-mediated discussions to defuse years-old tensions with regional rival Saudi Arabia following Saudi Arabia's most extensive known mass execution in modern history, which resulted in the deaths of over three dozen Shiites.

Iraqi security officials stated that no one was injured in the Irbil attack, which occurred after midnight and caused material damage to the region. They talked on the condition of anonymity, as required by law.

Iraqi officials stated without clarifying that the ballistic missiles were launched from Iran. He identified the projectiles as Iranian-made Fateh-110s, which were most likely shot in retaliation for the deaths of two Revolutionary Guardsmen in Syria.

Another US official stated in a statement that the US condemned an "outrageous attack on Iraqi sovereignty and display of violence."

US personnel stationed at the airport facility in Irbil have previously been targeted by rocket and drone assaults, with US officials blaming Iran-backed militias.

The top US commander in the Middle East has frequently warned of the growing possibility of assaults on US soldiers and allies in Iraq and Syria by Iran and Iranian-backed militias.

In a December interview with The Associated Press, Marine Gen. Frank McKenzie stated that while US forces in Iraq have changed to a non-combat mission, Iran and its proxies continue to demand the withdrawal of all American troops. As a result, he stated, this may result in additional attacks.'

The Biden administration announced in July that the United States would withdraw from combat operations in Iraq by December 31, and US soldiers progressively transitioned to an advisory role last year. The forces will continue to support Iraq's fight against the Islamic State with air support and other military assistance.

The US presence in Iraq has long been a source of contention for Tehran. Still, tensions erupted in January 2020 with the death of a senior Iranian commander in a US drone strike near Baghdad's airport. Iran responded by firing a volley of missiles against al-Asad airbase, which was home to US forces. Over 100 servicemen sustained severe brain injuries as a result of the explosions.

More recently, Iranian proxies are suspected of carrying out an assassination attempt on Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi late last year.

Additionally, officials have stated that they suspect Iran was responsible for the October drone attack on an American military installation in southern Syria. No members of the US military were killed or injured in the attack.

"The aggression that targeted the dear city of Irbil and instilled fear among its residents is an attack on our people's security," Al-Kadhimi tweeted.

Masrour Barzani, the semi-autonomous Kurdish region's prime minister, denounced the attack. He stated on Facebook that Irbil "will not submit to the cowards who perpetrated the terrorist attack."