ISTANBUL

The United Arab Emirates “strongly” condemned a drone attack targeting its consulate in Erbil in northern Iraq, which injured two security personnel and caused damage to the building, the Emirati Foreign Ministry said on Saturday.

In a statement, the ministry described the incident as an “unprovoked terrorist drone attack” and said it was the second time in a week that the consulate in Erbil had been targeted.

The ministry said “targeting diplomatic missions and premises constitutes a flagrant violation of international norms and laws, particularly the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.”

It added that such acts represent “a dangerous escalation and a threat to regional security and stability.”

The UAE also called on the Iraqi government and the Kurdish Regional Government to “investigate the circumstances surrounding this attack, identify those responsible, and take all necessary measures to ensure the perpetrators are held accountable.”

The ministry reiterated the UAE’s “firm rejection of terrorist attacks aimed at undermining security and stability,” stressing the need to protect diplomatic missions, premises and personnel in accordance with international law.

Since Israel and the US launched joint attacks on Iran on Feb. 28, killing more than 1,200 people, including then-Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, hostilities have escalated.

Iran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf countries hosting US military assets.