Kurdistan Region: Two Hadid-110 Drones Strike PM Office, Origin Attributed to Iran

MIDDLE EAST — Two explosive-laden Hadid-110 drones that the Kurdistan Counter-Terrorism Directorate stated were launched from across the Iranian border struck the private office of Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani and the residence of the Parastin Agency director in the Pirmam district of Erbil province at 12:28 a.m. local time on August 17.

The Kurdistan Counter-Terrorism Directorate stated the drones targeted the sites and reported no casualties. Barzani described the attacks as a dangerous escalation and an unacceptable threat to the region’s security and stability.

The Kurdistan Counter-Terrorism Directorate identified the drones as Hadid-110 models and stated they originated from Iranian territory.

Barzani said an investigation by the unit confirmed the targeting of his personal office and the residence of the head of the Security and Intelligence Agency. Iranian state-run media carried no immediate claim of responsibility for the specific strikes.

Separately, Brigadier General Yadollah Javani, political deputy of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, stated that Iran’s defensive posture is poised to shift to an offensive one under a new maximum deterrence approach. Javani warned adversaries to anticipate strategic surprises.

Latest Developments

• Kurdistan Counter-Terrorism Directorate: two Hadid-110 drones that the directorate stated were launched from Iranian territory at 12:28 a.m. targeted Barzani’s private office and the Parastin director’s residence in Pirmam; no casualties reported.

• Masrour Barzani: the attacks constitute a dangerous escalation and an unacceptable threat; they will not deter the Kurdistan Regional Government from its duties.

• Brigadier General Yadollah Javani: Iran’s military posture will shift from defensive to offensive form under maximum deterrence; adversaries should anticipate strategic surprises.

• Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei: there is no 60-day deadline in the memorandum of understanding text; the discussion period is no longer relevant due to U.S. violations and the absence of negotiations.

• President Donald Trump: Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan have signed the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement; the step enables countries to defend themselves in a more meaningful way.

• Kurdistan Counter-Terrorism Directorate (August 14): three bomb-laden drones intercepted over Erbil by Coalition forces between 2:17 a.m. and 2:25 a.m.; no casualties.

Locations Affected

• Pirmam district, Erbil province, Kurdistan Region, Iraq Site of the 17 August 2026 strikes on the private office of Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani and the residence of the Parastin Agency director. Coordinates: 36.3856° N, 44.1956° E

• Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq Site of the 14 August 2026 interception of three bomb-laden drones by U.S.-led Coalition forces. Coordinates: 36.1912° N, 44.0094°E

Threat Indicators

• Confirmed: Two Hadid-110 drones that the Kurdistan Counter-Terrorism Directorate stated were launched from Iranian territory struck Kurdistan Region leadership sites in Pirmam at 12:28 a.m. August 17; no casualties according to the directorate.

• Confirmed: Three bomb-laden drones intercepted over Erbil by Coalition forces between 2:17 a.m. and 2:25 a.m. on August 14; no casualties.

• Early signal: IRGC political deputy states defensive posture poised to shift to offensive form under maximum deterrence; adversaries to anticipate strategic surprises.

• Ongoing: Pattern of drone and missile attacks the Kurdistan Counter-Terrorism Directorate attributes to Iranian origin on Kurdistan Region targets continues; more than 950 to 1,000 recorded since late February according to Rudaw tracking as of early August, with 32 killed and 154 wounded; the figure remains single-source media tracking pending any KRG release; open tracking for 1–14 August recorded 16 drones and three missiles.

• Tripwire: Any subsequent strike producing confirmed casualties among Kurdistan Region officials or U.S./coalition personnel.

• De-escalatory: No further launches from Iranian territory against Kurdistan Region sites for 72 hours and Iranian statements limited to memorandum of understanding compliance without new offensive language.

Official Statements

• Masrour Barzani, Kurdistan Region Prime Minister, August 17: “Following an investigation by the Kurdistan Counter-Terrorism Unit, my personal office and the home of the head of the Security and Intelligence Agency were targeted by Iranian drone attacks earlier today. I condemn these reckless and unacceptable attacks in the strongest terms. This is a dangerous escalation and a direct threat to the security and stability of the Kurdistan Region. These attacks will not deter us from carrying out our duties and protecting our citizens.”

• Kurdistan Counter-Terrorism Directorate, August 17: “According to information from the Kurdistan Counter-Terrorism Service, two Hadid-110 drones targeted the private office of the Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government and the residence of the Security Directorate. The drones were launched from the direction of Iran and targeted the Pirmam area... noting that no casualties were reported. We strongly condemn these attacks and violations, considering them unacceptable, and holding the perpetrators fully responsible for their consequences.”

• Brigadier General Yadollah Javani, IRGC Political Deputy, August 17: “The enemy has been the initiator of the war, and Iran’s actions are defensive, but they may take on an offensive aspect in the future. The enemy should know that it cannot catch us off-guard. Instead, it is the enemy that must anticipate strategic surprises.”

• Esmail Baghaei, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, August 17: “There is no such thing as a 60-day deadline in the text of the MoU, and the Islamic Republic of Iran never formulates its policies under pressure, ultimatums or time constraints. Due to the blatant and widespread violation of the June 18 MoU by the US just a few weeks after its signing, no talks were initiated, and consequently, the issue of the 60-day period completely lost its relevance.”

• President Donald Trump, August 16–17: “Very happy to see that Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan have recently, and finally, signed the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement. It shows how the Middle East is coming together, and how Countries will finally be able to defend themselves in a more meaningful way. Congratulations to the Great Leadership of the three Nations mentioned. THIS IS A BIG, BOLD, AND IMPORTANT FIRST STEP.”