US Congressman Don Bacon Condemns Iranian Drone Strike on KRG Prime Minister's Office
Co-Chair of the Kurdish-American Caucus calls the attack reckless and unacceptable, warning that Iran's targeting of senior KRG officials represents a dangerous escalation threatening regional stability
ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) - US Representative Don Bacon, Co-Chair of the Kurdish-American Caucus, posted a strong condemnation on X on Thursday of the Iranian drone strike that targeted the office of Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani and the residence of the Director of the Kurdistan Protection Agency in Pirmam district, Erbil governorate, calling the attack reckless and unacceptable and pledging to continue championing Kurdish security, sovereignty, and democratic aspirations.
"I condemn this reckless and unacceptable attack in the strongest terms," Bacon wrote on X. "Iran's continued and irresponsible aggression, now targeting the property of senior Kurdish Regional Government officials, represents a dangerous escalation and a direct threat to the region's stability. As the Co-Chair of the Kurdish-American Caucus, I stand firmly with our Kurdish partners and will continue to champion their security, sovereignty, and democratic aspirations."
I condemn this reckless and unacceptable attack in the strongest terms. Iran’s continued and irresponsible aggression, now targeting the property of senior Kurdish Regional Government officials, represents a dangerous escalation and a direct threat to the region’s stability. As…
— Rep. Don Bacon 🇺🇸✈️🏍️⭐️🎖️ (@RepDonBacon) August 20, 2026
Bacon's post places a senior American lawmaker among the growing chorus of international voices condemning the predawn attack of Monday, August 17, 2026, in which two Hadid-110 drones launched from within Iranian borders struck official KRG government sites at 00:28 a.m., according to the Kurdistan Counter-Terrorism Directorate. No casualties were reported. Prime Minister Masrour Barzani responded to the attack with resolve, stating: "These attacks cannot stop us. We will continue our duties and the protection of our citizens."
As Co-Chair of the Kurdish-American Caucus, Bacon has been one of the most consistent congressional voices for the Kurdistan Region's interests in Washington, using his platform to advocate for Kurdish security partnerships, the Peshmerga's military needs, and the KRG's political standing within Iraq and on the international stage. His framing of the strike as a "dangerous escalation" rather than an isolated incident reflects the broader assessment emerging from both regional governments and international observers that Iran's willingness to directly target senior KRG officials marks a qualitative shift in the conflict's character.
Bacon's statement also arrives as the international condemnation of the attack has reached its broadest point since the conflict began. Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, and the UAE all issued official condemnations on Tuesday, August 18, 2026. Iraqi Federal Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi called Masrour Barzani personally on Tuesday, declaring that any violation of the Kurdistan Region's security is a violation of Iraq's national security, and committing to a formal investigation and legal prosecution of those responsible. The Independent Human Rights Commission of the Kurdistan Region, the Kurdistan Rawendi Confederation, and multiple Iraqi political figures also condemned the attack.
Congressman Bacon's post on X adds a direct American congressional voice to that international front three days after the attack, signaling that the Kurdistan Region's relationship with its bipartisan advocates in the US Congress remains firm even as Washington manages the broader complexities of the six-month US-Iran conflict.