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02:13 a. M.
Thursday 24 December 2020
Atlanta, United States (CNN):
The US Central Command said on Wednesday that the recent missile strike in the Green Zone near the US embassy “was almost certainly carried out by a rebel militia backed by Iran.”
US Central Command spokesman William Urban said in a statement that Sunday’s 21-missile strike was the largest missile strike in the Green Zone since 2010.
Urban added: “While this missile strike, which totaled 21, caused no US casualties or casualties, the attack did damage the buildings of the US embassy complex, and it was clear that it was not intended to avoid casualties.” .
The US Central Command oversees US forces in the Middle East and Central Asia.
Orban noted that “these groups have the support of Iran because Iran provides material support and guidance … They are outside the law because they actually act on behalf of Iranian interests and directives, and this constitutes a direct betrayal of Iraqi sovereignty. “.
CNN previously reported that the United States military had been tracking intelligence in recent weeks on growing threats from Iranian-backed militias inside Iraq.
A US administration official told CNN that a meeting was held at the White House on Wednesday on the latest Iranian threats.
The official said options were discussed, but that the military strikes were not approved for now.
The source said that what was discussed was increased efforts on the diplomatic front.
Trump threatened Iran on Twitter on Wednesday, writing that he was providing “some friendly health advice to Iran: If an American dies, I would hold Iran responsible. Think twice.”
“Our embassy in Baghdad was hit by several missiles on Sunday,” Trump wrote aboard Air Force One. Three missiles did not fire. Guess where they came from: Iran.
The US embassy in Baghdad said Sunday that “some minor damage was done to the embassy compound, but there were no injuries or casualties.”
