Iran is now bombing ISIS, too


Iran initially denied U.S. reports that Tehran has bombed Islamic State targets inside Iraq, despite footage of an Iranian F-4 Phantom captured by Al Jazeera late last month. "Iran has never been involved in any air strikes against Daesh (ISIS) targets in Iraq," an unidentified Iranian official told Reuters early Wednesday. The denial didn't hold for long, or maybe it's a question of semantics.
Later Wednesday, Iranian politician Hamid Reza Taraghi told The New York Times that Iran has, indeed, carried out airstrikes against ISIS militants in a 25-mile buffer zone inside Iraq, which Iraq doesn't recognize. "We do not tolerate any threats within the buffer zone, and these targets were in the vicinity of the buffer zone," he said, adding that dozens of militants were killed in the strikes.
The U.S. and Iran both deny that there is any coordination in their battles against ISIS, but it's still awkward that "Tehran and Washington find themselves fighting the same enemy in an increasingly public fashion," explain Tim Arango and Thomas Erdbrink at The New York Times. "While there is no direct coordination between Iran and the United States, there is a de facto nonaggression pact that neither side is eager to acknowledge." Iran and the U.S. haven't had formal diplomatic relations since 1979.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
Tariffs were supposed to drive inflation. Why hasn’t that happened?
Talking Points Businesses' planning ahead helped. But uncertainty still looms.
-
How can you find a financial adviser you trust?
the explainer Four ways to detect professionals who will act in your best interest
-
8 gifts for the host that does the most
The Week Recommends Show your appreciation with a thoughtful present
-
British warship repels 'largest Houthi attack to date' in the Red Sea
Speed read Western allies warn of military response to Iranian-backed Yemeni rebels if attacks on ships continue
-
Houthi rebels claim Red Sea ship attacks
speed read Iran-backed Yemeni group vows to escalate aggression towards Israel-linked vessels in revenge for Gaza war
-
Israel plans next phase of Gaza war as first hostages released
Speed read After four-day ceasefire 'we will not stop' until destruction of Hamas, says Israel
-
Mob storms Russian airport 'looking for Jews'
Speed Read Plane from Israel surrounded by rioters chanting antisemitic slogans after landing in Russia's Dagestan region
-
Tuberville's military promotions block is upending lives, combat readiness, 3 military branch chiefs say
Speed Read
-
Ukraine's counteroffensive is making incremental gains. Does it matter in the broader war?
Speed Read
-
US commissions first-ever Navy ship in a foreign port
Speed Read
-
British spy chief, Wagner video suggest Prigozhin is alive and freely 'floating around'
Speed Read