President Trump said Iran is responsible for the attack earlier today on the U.S. Embassy in Iraq and claims the Islamic nation will be held “fully responsible.”
In the midst of protests over U.S. airstrikes, dozens of Iraqi Shiite militia supporters smashed a gate and stormed the U.S. Embassy compound in Baghdad.
The breach at the compound followed an earlier attempt by hundreds of Iraqis. The unrest came as Iraqis held funerals for the 25 fighters from Iran-backed Shiite militia Kataeb Hezbollah who were killed in U.S. airstrikes earlier this week, the Associated Press reported. The U.S. military said the airstrikes were in retaliation for last week’s killing of an American contractor in a rocket attack on an Iraqi military base that it had blamed on the militia.
Reporters for the AP described a chaotic scene on the ground Tuesday and said the crowd shouted, “Down, down USA!” An AP reporter at the scene saw flames rising from inside the compound and at least three U.S. soldiers on the roof of the embassy.
President Trump blasted Iran on Twitter, writing, “Iran killed an American contractor, wounding many. We strongly responded, and always will. 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, and so notified!”
Iran killed an American contractor, wounding many. We strongly responded, and always will. 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, and so notified!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 31, 2019
Iraqi security agents reportedly did not try to stop the protesters, however, Fox News writes that a man on a loudspeaker told the crowd not to enter the Embassy grounds, saying “The message was delivered.”
No casualties have been reported, however, the breach is being considered one of the worst attacks on the embassy in recent history.
Many lawmakers were quick to condemn Iran, with Senate Judiciary Chairman Lindsey Graham (R-SC) applauding President Trump for “acting decisively” on the matter and warning Iran the president will hold the nation accountable–unlike President Obama.
“Very proud of President @realDonaldTrump acting decisively in the face of threats to our embassy in Baghdad. He has put the world on notice – there will be no Benghazis on his watch,” wrote Graham.
He continued, “To the Iranian government: Be careful what you wish for — a country that depends on the ability to refine oil for its existence needs to be cautious. President Trump, unlike President Obama, will hold you accountable for threats against Americans and hit you where it hurts the most. Choose your battles wisely.”
Graham then turned his comments to the United States’ Iraqi allies and wrote, “This is your moment to convince the American people the US-Iraq relationship is meaningful to you and worth protecting. Protect our American personnel. You will not regret it.”
Very proud of President @realDonaldTrump acting decisively in the face of threats to our embassy in Baghdad.
He has put the world on notice – there will be no Benghazis on his watch.
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— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) December 31, 2019
New York Congressman Lee Zeldin (R) wrote, :”Our US Embassy in Baghdad has US military personnel and diplomats who are very important to our country and especially their families back home. Iran supporting terrorist acts to directly harm their safety today must be met with an appropriate, fierce and powerful response.”
Our US Embassy in Baghdad has US military personnel and diplomats who are very important to our country and especially their families back home. Iran supporting terrorist acts to directly harm their safety today must be met with an appropriate, fierce and powerful response.
— Lee Zeldin (@RepLeeZeldin) December 31, 2019
The Daily Wire’s Ryan Saavedra points out that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo warned Iran just weeks ago that any attacks on Americans by the nation would be answered with “a decisive U.S. response.”
.@SecPompeo on December 13, 2019: “We must also use this opportunity to remind Iran’s leaders that any attacks by them, or their proxies of any identity, that harm Americans, our allies, or our interests will be answered with a decisive U.S. response” https://t.co/IZSlnnkJaN
— Ryan Saavedra (@RealSaavedra) December 31, 2019
