The Kurdistan Regional Government said the Sarsang oil field in Duhok province was hit, denouncing the strike "an act of terrorism against the Kurdistan Region's vital economic infrastructure".

The attack followed similar drone strikes a day earlier on an airport hosting US troops and another on an oil field in neighbouring Arbil province.

HKN Energy, the US firm operating the Sarsang site, said the blast occurred at about 7:00 am (0400 GMT) at one of its production facilities.

"Operations at the affected facility have been suspended until the site is secured," it said in a statement.

A fire broke out but caused no casualties. HKN Energy said emergency teams later contained the blaze.

In the past few weeks, Iraq -- particularly the Kurdistan region -- has seen a spate of unclaimed drone and rocket attacks.

Long plagued by conflict, Iraq frequently experiences such attacks, often linked to regional proxy struggles between Iran and the United States and its ally Israel.

The US embassy in Baghdad denounced "the recent drone attacks throughout Iraq", including strikes on "critical infrastructure" at oil fields in Kurdistan.

"These attacks are unacceptable," the embassy said on social media platform X, urging Baghdad to investigate.

The Iraqi government "must exercise its authority to prevent armed actors from launching these attacks against sites... including locations where Iraqi and international companies have invested in Iraq's future," it added.

- 'Unacceptable' -

The explosion in Sarsang field came a day after three explosive-laden drone attacks were reported in Kurdistan.

In one of them, a drone was shot down near Arbil airport, which hosts US troops, while two others hit the Khurmala oil field, causing material damage.

There has been no claim of responsibility for those attacks.

But on July 3, the Kurdistan authorities said a drone was downed near Arbil airport and blamed the Hashed al-Shaabi -- a coalition of pro-Iran former paramilitaries now integrated into the regular armed forces.

The federal government in Baghdad rejected the accusation.

The latest attacks come at a time of heightened tension between Baghdad and Arbil over oil exports, with a major pipeline through Turkey shut since 2023 over legal disputes and technical issues.

In May, Iraq's federal authorities filed a complaint against the autonomous Kurdistan region for signing gas contracts with two US companies, including HKN Energy.

Iraq slammed the deals, saying all oil and gas development must be conducted through the federal government.

A few hours after Tuesday's drone attack, Iraq's oil ministry announced an initial agreement with HKN Energy to develop the Hamrin oil field in Salaheddin province.

After signing the agreement, Iraqi Oil Minister Hayan Abdel Ghani said Baghdad was looking forward to cooperating with US companies in the oil and gas sector.

There are some 2,500 US troops in Iraq as part of the international coalition against the Islamic State jihadist group.

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