Updated

Iraq has opened an investigation into a drone strike targeting the office of Kurdistan Regional Government Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, an attack that comes as Iran has continued striking Iranian Kurdish opposition groups based in northern Iraq despite the ceasefire. Tehran denied involvement and instead warned of "false-flag ploys," suggesting the "reckless attack" was intended to sow discord between Iran and Iraq and to draw Baghdad into the wider conflict. The incident has heightened scrutiny of Iranian activity on Iraqi territory and of the security of the autonomous Kurdish region. Against that backdrop, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf is due to depart for Iraq on Wednesday for talks with senior Iraqi officials, according to Iran's Nournews. The agenda is reported to cover regional developments, bilateral relations, border security, expanded economic cooperation and the implementation of joint agreements. Baghdad remains a key economic and political partner for Tehran at a moment when Iran is seeking to limit its regional isolation and preserve trade channels under intensified US pressure.