01 April 2026 , 12:44
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A massive drone attack on a "British oil company" in Iraq has resulted in huge fireballs, occurring just hours after Iran issued a chilling warning about strikes on UK military bases. Rudaw English posted a video on X showing thick grey smoke billowing into the sky at the Castrol facility in Erbil, the capital city of the Kurdistan region in Iraq.
Footage from the scene shows bright orange flames as the massive fire engulfs large parts of the structure. A company insider told Shafaq News that the drone crashed within the compound, causing flames to consume substantial quantities of oil and logistical supplies. Emergency crews rushed to the facility in an attempt to contain the blaze.
Erbil governor Omid Xoshnaw said the initial drone assault took place at approximately 7:30 am, targeting a warehouse holding automotive motor oil.
Mr. Xoshnaw said three drones struck the compound directly, while a fourth was intercepted and destroyed mid-air before reaching its intended target.
"The repeated bombardment and the scale of the fire have left nothing inside the depot untouched by flames," Mr. Xoshnaw told Kurdistan24.
This incident follows Seyed Ali Mousavi, Tehran’s ambassador to the United Kingdom, stating that Iran is considering strikes on British military bases.
He cautioned that facilities linked to US military operations could become legitimate targets and be at risk if tensions continue to escalate.
Asked whether British bases and assets were "legitimate targets," Iranian ambassador Seyed Ali Mousavi told Times Radio that targeting such bases was being considered.
He said: "This is a very important matter for our self-defense. The military sections of our system will decide appropriately. It depends on your activities. It depends on the British decision about this matter."
Mr. Mousavi said: "Every option should be considered. We are very careful and delicate [as to] how to defend ourselves."
Defense Secretary John Healey told MPs last week that the US has permission to use UK bases for defensive strikes against specific Iranian targets, including missile sites and capabilities that threaten shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
Deputy Editor