Iran confirms that they have conducted airstrikes in Iraq. The Guardian.

An Iraqi refugee. The Guardian/Getty Images.

Iran is now confirming that their jets have conducted airstrikes in Iraq in support of Shia militias. The Guardian. A senior Iranian official, deputy foreign minister Ebrahim Rahimpour, confirmed the reports. Iran denies that they have coordinated their strikes with the United States and instead claim that they are only working with the Iraqi's. The United States says the same thing, saying that Iraq is in charge of making sure the two sides do not interfere with each other.  Iran had denied that their F-4 phantom fighter jets had conducted strikes, despite video proof. Iran now says the strikes are in support of both the Kurds and the Iraqis. Iran denies sending in any additional ground troops and did not respond to questions about how many "advisers" Iran has in Iraq. 

My Comment:

The above video from France 24 was made on the 3rd and gives examples of how Iran is getting involved in the war in Iraq. It's from before Iran's admission was made though. 

Looks like American airstrikes in support of Iranian led Shia militias are a thing of the past. It's probably for the best, there were too many chances for friendly fire. If the United States were to accidentally attack Iranian proxy militias there would be hell to pay, especially if  any Iranian "advisers" were killed. It seems that Iraq is content to give airspace in the East to Iran while the rest of the country is under U.S. protection. It is strange that Iran and the United States are on the same side when officially they don't talk with each other. I don't buy for a second that there isn't some kind of communication between Iran and the United states here though. 

As for the F-4's flying again, it is pretty cool in my book. I was never a huge fan of them but whenever an old warbird flies again in combat it is worth noting. The Iranians bought hundreds of   F-4's before the revolution, along with some F-14 tomcats. It is a testament to the Iranians and the fighters themselves that these planes are still flying. They should be effective in fighting ISIS and supporting Iraqi, Kurdish and Iranian fighters.