Diplomats evacuated from US consulate in Iraq because of violence backed by Iran


[ad_1]

The US government announced Friday that the US consulate in Basra, southern Iraq, was temporarily closed due to violence, including a rocket attack against the consulate, by militias backed by the # 39; Iran.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the decision was a "temporary relocation" following "growing and specific threats" from the Iranian regime and its militias.

"I said that Iran had to understand that the United States would react quickly and appropriately to such attacks".

– Secretary of State Mike Pompeo

"I said that Iran had to understand that the United States would react quickly and appropriately to such attacks," Pompeo said in a statement. "I have informed the Iranian government that the United States would hold Iran directly responsible for the damage done to the Americans or our diplomatic facilities in Iraq or elsewhere, that they are perpetrated directly by the Iranian forces. or by proxy proxy militia.

"There have been incidents of repeated indirect shooting by elements of these militias against our consulate general in Basra and our embassy in Baghdad, including in the last 24 hours," he added.

Earlier this month, after the revenge of a Shiite militia against the Iranian consulate's attack by anti-Iranian protesters, three rockets were fired at Basra's airport, where is located the US consulate. No casualties have been recorded.

"We will hold the Iranian regime accountable for any attack on our staff or facilities, and respond quickly and decisively to the defense of American lives," Pompeo tweeted earlier this week.

Diplomatic personnel and their families have been evacuated, although the place of their shipment is not clearly defined, while consular services will be provided by the US embassy in Baghdad, according to the state department.

The rise of violence and attacks against the United States in Iraq is the latest sign of increasing tension between the United States and Iran, which is subject to severe economic sanctions imposed by the Trump government.

The Iranian government has denied being involved in the incidents in Iraq, according to state media. Iranian officials have instead accused the United States of trying to provoke the regime and said the US government played a role in a deadly attack on a military parade in Iran earlier this month.

Associated Press contributed to this report.

Lukas Mikelionis is a reporter for FoxNews.com. Follow him on Twitter @LukasMikelionis.

[ad_2]Source link