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ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani said Wednesday that the Iranian missile strike that killed six Peshmerga fighters in Erbil province on Tuesday was acknowledged by Tehran as a "mistake," adding that Iran has promised an investigation and sent condolences to the Region.
Speaking to reporters during his visit to attend the funerals of the Peshmerga victims in Erbil's Soran administration, President Barzani said that following the "tragic incident," they "contacted the Islamic Republic of Iran. They acknowledge that a mistake was made and have promised to conduct an investigation into the matter."
He added that Iranians "have also sent their regrets and a message of condolence to the Kurdistan Region."
His remarks come a day after an Iranian ballistic missile strike on a Peshmerga base in Erbil's Soran administration killed six fighters and injured 30 others early Tuesday, following days of missile and drone strikes on the Peshmerga forces in the Region.
President Barzani stated that they are "currently waiting to see what the response of the Islamic Republic of Iran will be to the Kurdistan Region."
He emphasized that the Kurdistan Region has maintained a policy of peace and stability.
"The policy of the Kurdistan Region is clear. We are a factor for peace and stability in the region. We have always emphasized that we are not a source of threat to any neighboring country, and specifically not to the Islamic Republic of Iran," President Barzani added.
The president stressed that the Region has stayed out of the ongoing war involving the US and Israel on one side and Iran on the other.
"We have consistently followed this policy; since the outbreak of the current war, we have not been a part of it, and we will not become a part of it," he said, hoping that "Iran conducts a thorough investigation into this matter and informs the Kurdistan Region of what has occurred."
The Kurdistan Region has faced a wave of drone and missile attacks since the conflict began on February 28, when the United States and Israel launched a joint military campaign against Iran. Iraqi armed groups aligned with Iran have claimed responsibility for some of the attacks.
Last updated at 1:41 pm.
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