Pompeo blames Iran for attacks on US missions in Iraq

WASHINGTON, Oct 3 (KUNA) -- US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo blamed Iran for the attacks against the US mission in Basra and the Embassy in Baghdad, saying "our intelligence in this regard is solid." Pompeo said in remarks to reporters "Iran is the origin of the current threat to Americans in Iraq," adding "we can see the hand of the ayatollah and his henchmen supporting these attacks on the United States." He stressed that "these latest destabilizing acts in Iraq are attempts by the Iranian regime to push back on our efforts to constrain its malign behavior." "Clearly, they see our comprehensive pressure campaign as serious and succeeding, and we must be prepared for them to continue their attempts to hit back, especially after our full sanctions are re-imposed on the 4th of November," he noted.
He affirmed that the US "will continue to stand with the people of Iraq as they chart a future based on Iraqi interests, not those dictated by Iran." On Friday, Pompeo ordered the temporary relocation of US government personnel at the consulate general in Basra.
He also warned the Iranian government that the US "will hold it directly responsible for any harm to Americans or our diplomatic facilities, whether perpetrated by Iranian forces or by associated proxies or elements of those militias." (end) si.ibi