Secretary of State Mike Pompeo ordered the evacuation of U.S. diplomats stationed at the U.S. Consulate in the Iraqi city of Basra on Friday, citing “threats to our personnel and facilities” from Iran and its proxies. All week, U.S. officials have issued increasingly ominous warnings to Iran that the United States will respond aggressively to any perceived threats to its interests in the Middle East. In a speech Tuesday, national security adviser John Bolton promised there would be “hell to pay” if Iran continues to “cross” the United States or its allies. In Iraq, top envoys for the United States and Iran have been competing to place allies in the key positions of parliament speaker, president and prime minister. In his statement Friday, Pompeo said the United States is working with the Iraqi government to address Iranian threats.

Source: Washington Post September 28, 2018 22:18 UTC