U.S. Claims Iran May Have Launched Airstrike Against Islamic State

The U.S. announced Wednesday that Iran may have participated in its first round of airstrikes targeting the Islamic State.

Although Iranian officials are denying the airstrikes, U.S. intelligence is arguing it has evidence that the airstrikes were carried out by Iran in Iraq using F-4 Phantom bombers over the past several days.

U.S. Rear Admiral John Kirby said at a press conference this week that the U.S. has not coordinated its airstrike plan with Iran's, adding that the countries have not agreed to deconflict, or avoid overlap, with each other during their airstrikes.

"It's the Iraqi air space and [Iraq's] to deconflict. We are not coordinating with nor are we deconflicting with Iranian military," the Pentagon spokesperson said during the press conference, as reported by Reuters.

After Al Jazeera ran footage of what appeared to be an F-4 jet used by the Iranian air force flying in Iraqi airspace, an unnamed Iranian official denied that the Middle Eastern country was participating in airstrikes against its neighbor.

During his press conference, Kirby acknowledged that he had seen reports of Iranian aircraft bombing Islamic State strongholds in the province of Diyala.

"I have seen those reports. We have no indication that the reports are not true that Iranian aircraft have conducted air strikes, in the last several days, against ISIL targets in eastern Iraq," Kirby said.

"Again, you should consult the Iranian government to speak to the activities of their government."

The U.S. and several ally countries, including Great Britain and France, have participated in multiple airstrikes in Iraq and Syria in an attempt to eradicate the growing Islamic State terrorist organization.