Iran denies air strikes against IS in Iraq

Iran's foreign ministry Wednesday denied reports that Iranian fighters had targeted the Islamic State (IS) Sunni radical group on Iraqi soil.

"We do not confirm any reports concerning our military cooperation in Iraq against the IS militants," Xinhua quoted Iranian foreign ministry spokeswoman Marzieh Afkham as saying.

"No change has taken place in Iran's policy," she said, adding that Iran only offers consultations and military aid to Iraq within international regulations.

Western media quoted the Pentagon as saying Tuesday that Iranian fighter jets had launched air strikes from inside Iran against IS posts in eastern Iraq.

Iran and the US have already denied that they were cooperating against the jihadis in Iraq.

Iran has acknowledged that its military commanders are present in the neighbouring country for military consultations. Iran has also vowed to protect the Shia cities and shrines in Iraq against IS threats.