Iraq was already facing a crisis prior to the Israeli airstrikes on Iran and Iran’s retaliation. In May, the autonomous Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) in Iraq sent a delegation to Washington to sign energy deals that could be worth up to $110 billion with HKN Energy and WesternZagros.

Israel and Iran have begun a new round of attacks, as the conflict between the two heavily armed rivals enters its fourth day.

The Iraqi prime minister urged the international community and the United States to play their roles in preventing Israel's assault.

Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian urged Iraq on Sunday to block Israel from using its airspace and territory to launch attacks on the Islamic republic.

The U.S. State Department issued security alerts on Friday for several Middle Eastern countries, in some cases advising against travel and warning of possible missile attacks after Israel launched military strikes against Iran.

Donald Trump has warned that the US may enter the escalating war ­between Israel and Iran, as each side accuses the other of ­targeting civilians, and hundreds of Australians stranded in both countries plead for help to leave the region.

The Lebanese militant group Hezbollah was long considered Iran’s first line of defense in case of a war with Israel

Iran-aligned Iraqi armed group Kataib Hezbollah warned on Sunday it would resume attacks on U.S. troops in the region if the United States intervenes in the conflict between Israel and Iran.

An explosion occurred in Erbil, the capital of the Kurdistan Region of northern Iraq on Sunday evening, the third day of the Israel-Iran war. Residents said the explosion was caused by a drone and images appeared to show an object on fire falling from the sky.