According to a statement made following Iran’s Supreme National Security Council meeting, Iranian airspace has been closed to all flights to and from Sulaimani and Hewler cities of Southern Kurdistan.

The Supreme National Security Council Spokesperson Keywan Xusrevi stated that this decision was taken on the Iraqi central government’s request after the Kurdish Regional Government paid no regard to the warnings.

On the other hand, the Iranian army is also doing military exercise on the border with Southern Kurdistan. Haji Omeran and Baleyekati areas in the countryside of Hewlêr were shelled by Iranian artillery early Sunday morning.