Trump blames Iran for rocket attack on U.S. embassy in Iraq

An Iraqi police officer stands guard near the United States Embassy in Baghdad, while more police forces are deployed on the streets, the day after several rockets were fired at Baghdad’s Green Zone.

Ameer Al Mohammedaw | DPA | Getty Images

WASHINGTON – The Trump administration blamed Iran on Wednesday for a series of rocket attacks aimed at the U.S. embassy in Iraq and warned against further aggression.

“Our embassy in Baghdad was hit on Sunday by several rockets. Three rockets were not launched. Guess where they were from: IRAN, ”wrote Trump on Twitter.

“Iran-friendly health advice: if an American is killed, I will hold Iran accountable. Think about it,” wrote Trump, adding that there were “rumors of additional attacks against Americans in Iraq.”

The president did not provide further details linking Iran to the attack.

On Sunday, more than 20 rockets were launched at the heavily fortified Green Zone complex in Baghdad, where the US Embassy, ​​as well as other official buildings, are located.

There were no American casualties or injuries in the incident.

A spokesman for the US Central Command, which oversees the wars in Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan, wrote that Sunday’s rocket attack “was almost certainly conducted by an Iran-backed Rogue Militia Group”.

“It is important for the people of Iraq to understand that previous attacks by Iran-backed Rogue Militia Groups have killed more Iraqi civilians and members of the Iraqi Security Forces than Americans,” said Captain Bill Urban, a spokesman for the Command. Central America, wrote in a statement.

“The United States will hold Iran responsible for the deaths of any American resulting from the work of these Iran-backed Rogue Militia Groups,” added Urban.

The Iraqi military said the attack, which caused minor damage to some of the buildings, was carried out by an “outlaw group”.

The latest revelation came when Trump retained his signature on the colossal National Defense Authorization Act. The NDAA, which is usually approved with strong bipartisan support and veto-proof majorities, funds the United States’ national security card. He was sanctioned for almost six consecutive decades.

Passing the bill at the very least guarantees soldiers’ salary increases and keeps crucial defense modernization programs in place.

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