An explosion aboard the Panama-flagged MSC Sariska V has triggered competing narratives, with Iran claiming a retaliatory strike and Iraqi reports pointing towards a possible technical failure.
The attacks come as regional tensions continue to escalate, with the ongoing US-Israel conflict involving Iran entering its 36th day. Iran-backed militias have repeatedly targeted US military positions in Iraq and neighbouring areas in recent weeks.
US issues fresh advisory highlighting attack and kidnapping risks in Iraq, asks citizens to avoid key locations and use land routes as airspace remains closed.
A suspect has been arrested after a dramatic chase in Baghdad, but uncertainty remains over the missing journalist’s whereabouts as US officials warn of militia involvement.
A US alert for Iraq, a claimed five-day diplomatic window with Iran, and renewed pressure around Hormuz pushed the conflict into a tense new phase on March 24.
Iraq accused Turkiye of striking the resort in Duhok Province of its semi-autonomous region, a charge Ankara has denied.
Five militants of Turkey's Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) were killed in a Turkish drone strike in Iraq's northern province of Nineveh, official sources said.
Hostility between the long-time foes has often played out in Iraq, whose government is allied with both countries. The attack triggered harsh condemnation from the Iraqi government, which called it a “violation of international law and norms” and demanded an explanation from the Iranian leadership. The United States also condemned the strike and said it was an unjustified outrage on a civilian residence.
Iraqi National Security Adviser Qasim al-Araji and head of NATO's Mission in Iraq, Michael Anker Lollesgaard "discussed ways to enhance security
The attack came two days after deadly protests in the Iraqi capital over the result of a general election held on October 10. The groups leading the protests are heavily armed Iran-backed militias that lost much of their parliamentary power in the election.
