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Iran's army claimed Saturday that it had destroyed virtually all US military infrastructure in Erbil, the capital of Iraq's northern region, during a recent 40-day conflict, and warned that it is now fielding attack drones more capable than those used during the fighting.
Army spokesman Brig. Gen. Mohammad Reza Akraminia, speaking to Iranian state television, said Tehran had inflicted serious damage on American military installations across the broader region, asserting that many had lost much of their operational capability.
He claimed that anti-Iran groups previously based in Erbil were no longer able to conduct operations.
Akraminia acknowledged the scale of American military presence in the region, noting that the US maintains extensive assets in southern Europe and the Mediterranean in addition to its Middle Eastern bases, and said Washington was working to replace its losses.
The spokesman issued a pointed warning that Tehran would continue military operations if the conflict restarted, saying Iran was prepared to press on "until the Americans realize they cannot impose their will on the Iranian nation through aggression."
The statement reflects a longstanding posture by Iranian officials framing military action in defensive terms, even as it signals willingness to escalate.
Akraminia also disclosed that Iran is now deploying attack drones that exceed the capabilities of the Arash-2, a loitering munition Iran had previously used during the conflict.
He said the new systems offer greater destructive power, accuracy and range, though he added that technical details have not yet been made public.
The Arash-2 is a long-range kamikaze drone that Iran has publicly showcased in recent years as a centerpiece of its unmanned arsenal, capable of striking targets at distances that put US regional bases within reach.
US military officials had not publicly responded to the assertions at the time of the spokesman's remarks. Iran has a documented history of presenting battlefield outcomes in maximalist terms during periods of elevated tension with the United States, and independent assessments of damage to US installations in Erbil were not immediately available.
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