Iraqi forces have confirmed that so-called Islamic State has blown up the Great Mosque of al-Nuri in Mosul.
The historic landmark was where IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi proclaimed a "caliphate" in 2014.
However, IS claims that US aircraft destroyed the mosque, in a statement issued by its news outlet Amaq.
The Iraqi commander in charge of the offensive to retake Mosul said troops were within 50m of the mosque when IS "committed another historical crime".
Aerial photos appear to show that the mosque complex has been largely destroyed.