The U.S. Embassy in Baghdad was struck by a missile early Saturday, prompting an immediate evacuation order for all American citizens in Iraq.
State Department officials condemned repeated attacks by Iran and Iran-backed militias on U.S. diplomatic facilities, military personnel, and energy infrastructure-especially in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned the Iraqi government must take decisive action to prevent militia groups from using Iraqi territory to threaten U.S. or regional security.
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani faces mounting pressure after his government’s failure to disarm or discipline the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), which include Kataib Hezbollah and Asaib Ahl al Haq-both U.S.-sanctioned entities funded and trained by Iran’s IRGC Qods Force.
A Kurdish official confirmed PMF leaders hold positions within al-Sudani’s coalition and receive state salaries-calling the government complicit in their operations.
U.S. and Israeli airstrikes targeting PMF positions have intensified since the start of Operation Epic Fury. Over 300 drone and missile strikes have hit the Kurdistan Region since late February, killing seven people and injuring 35.
Al-Sudani recently congratulated Mojtaba Khamenei on becoming Iran’s new Supreme Leader-a move widely interpreted as signaling continued alignment with Tehran.
The U.S. retains full authority to act unilaterally to protect its interests-and has not ruled out sanctions, military action, or financial targeting of PMF support networks.