Iran has conducted air strikes against Islamist militants in eastern Iraq in recent days, said US officials who declined to confirm any co-ordination between Washington and Tehran.
Washington believes it is the first time that Iran’s ageing air force has attacked the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, known as Isis, since the west began operations against the insurgency forces several months ago, news agencies reported.
Rear Admiral John Kirby, the Pentagon spokesman, told the Associated Press the US was not collaborating with Iran and that it was up to Iraq to ensure Tehran’s actions did not clash with those by the US and its allies.
Washington and Tehran have had a fraught relationship since the Islamic revolution in 1979 but in recent months there has been speculation that ties may be improving as the two nations are drawn closer by their joint opposition to Isis.
Shia-ruled Tehran is also united with the Shia-led government in Baghdad the Sunni insurgency that has seized swaths of territory in northern Iraq and eastern Syria.
Admiral Kirby told Agence France Presse US forces “have indications that [Iran] did indeed fly air strikes with F-4 Phantoms in the past several days.”
“We are flying missions over Iraq, we co-ordinate with the Iraqi government as we conduct those,” he said. “It’s up to the Iraqi government to deconflict that airspace.”
“Nothing has changed about our policy of not co-ordinating military activity with the Iranians.”
There was no independent confirmation from Iran either of the raids or of any collaboration with Washington.
On Monday it emerged that Nato is preparing to join the campaign against Isis following discussions with senior Iraqi government officials in recent weeks.
Alliance officials have said they are ready to commit resources if there is a formal request by Haider Al-Abadi, Iraq’s prime minister.
Foreign ministers from Nato’s 28 member states are due to meet in Brussels on Wednesday to discuss the fight against Isis, which leaders have said is likely to be protracted.
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