ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - The Iraqi government on Monday announced it has submitted an official protest note to the United Nations over Israel’s use of Iraq’s airspace for its attack on Iran, describing it as a “flagrant violation.”

The protest note, submitted to the UN Security Council and Secretary General Antonio Guterres, condemns Israel for “violating Iraq's airspace and sovereignty” and flying its jets over the country to carry out the airstrikes on the Islamic republic, according to a statement from Bassim al-Awadi, Iraqi government spokesperson.

The statement did not directly accuse the US of involvement in the operation and use of Iraqi airspace, but did note that Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani has directed the foreign ministry to “communicate with the American side regarding this violation, in accordance with the terms of the bilateral Strategic Framework Agreement, and the US’ commitment to the security and sovereignty of Iraq.”

The government affirmed its commitment to Iraq’s sovereignty and independence, emphasizing that it will not allow the use of Iraqi airspace or lands for attacks on other countries, especially its neighbors. Baghdad also reiterated support for resolving the regional conflicts through “dialogue and mutual understanding.”

The Israeli military on Saturday targeted several military sites across three Iranian provinces in response to Iran’s ballistic missile attack on Israeli territory earlier this month. Tehran claimed that the damage from the attack was limited, but did announce that four of its soldiers were killed in the operation.

The Iranian army accused the US military in Iraq of allowing Israel to use the country’s airspace in the attack. Washington has stated that it did not participate in the operation.

Several Iraqi Shiite leaders and armed groups have already put the blame on the US, vowing retaliation, and renewing calls for the withdrawal of American troops from the country.

Kata'ib Hezbollah, an Iraq Shiite paramilitary group which is a part of the state-linked Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), on Sunday said that Israel’s use of Iraq's airspace was "a dangerous precedent,” and claimed that Iraq would be the next target for Israel after Iran “if they do not pay a heavy price for their aggression.”

The group said that Israel’s use of Iraqi airspace “would not have happened had there not been an agreement and premeditation with the Americans who dominate the Iraqi skies.”