Iranian drones reach Kurdistan's oil heartland — Erbil Lanaz refinery struck, operations halted

A drone strike on the Lanaz gas refinery in Erbil on Day 16 marks the latest in Iran's systematic targeting of Iraqi Kurdistan's energy and military infrastructure. The attack halted refinery operations and caused a fire at the facility. Erbil is the capital of the Kurdistan Regional Government and hosts the Erbil Airbase — a key US coalition logistics hub for Operation Epic Fury. Iran has struck Erbil repeatedly during the conflict: French troops at the base were wounded on Day 13 and CWO Arnaud Frion was killed. The Lanaz refinery strike now extends targeting to Kurdistan's civilian energy infrastructure. The pattern — military personnel, then civilian energy — mirrors Iran's approach in Saudi Arabia (Prince Sultan Air Base strikes, then Eastern Province drone campaigns) and in the UAE (al-Dhafra Air Base followed by Fujairah port energy). Iran appears to be systematically escalating from military to dual-use infrastructure targeting wherever it can reach coalition allies.