(Politico) Quint Forgey - President Donald Trump on Tuesday blamed Iran for a breach of the U.S. embassy compound in Baghdad by Iraqi Shiite militiamen and their supporters. "Iran killed an American contractor, wounding many. We strongly responded, and always will," Trump tweeted. "Now Iran is orchestrating an attack on the U.S. Embassy in Iraq. They will be held fully responsible. In addition, we expect Iraq to use its forces to protect the Embassy." A State Department spokesperson said there has been no breach at the Baghdad embassy, that American personnel are secure, and that there are no plans to evacuate the facility. Defense Secretary Mark Esper announced the Pentagon would send additional troops to reinforce the embassy. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said the president has "put the world on notice - there will be no Benghazis on his watch" - referring to the 2012 terrorist attack on the U.S. diplomatic compound in Benghazi, Libya, in which U.S. Ambassador Christopher Stevens and three embassy staff members were killed.
2020-01-01 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive