ISTANBUL

Nechirvan Barzani, president of Iraq's Kurdish Regional Government, on Thursday condemned the attack on an Italian base in Erbil, a city in northern Iraq.

Barzani's condemnation came over a phone call with Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, during which they discussed regional and global developments, the KRG presidency said in a statement.

Barzani "also reiterated that the Iraqi government must fulfill its responsibilities in protecting diplomatic missions and allied forces and must not allow any group to threaten the safety, security, and interests of the country," the statement added.

Tajani, for his part, also expressed his condemnation of the attack, stating that Italy will continue to cooperate with Baghdad and Erbil in preventing threats.

Barzani expressed appreciation for Italy's continued support and for its "prominent role within the framework of international alliances," the statement said.

A missile struck an Italian base in Erbil overnight amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East.

Tensions gripped the Middle East after Israel and the US launched joint attacks on Iran on Feb. 28 and have so far killed more than 1,300 people, including Ali Khamenei, the country's former supreme leader, and more than 150 schoolgirls. More than 10,000 people were also injured in the Israeli and US attacks.

Tehran retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq, and several Gulf countries hosting US military assets. Eight US service members have been killed since the war began.