U.S. officials are bracing for Iran to take retaliatory measures as the one year anniversary of the strike on its top general is on the horizon.
President Donald Trump took to Twitter on Wednesday to warn Iran against conducting attacks on Americans in retaliation for the killing of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani earlier this year.
“Our embassy in Baghdad got hit Sunday by several rockets. Three rockets failed to launch,” Trump wrote. “Guess where they were from: IRAN. Now we hear chatter of additional attacks against Americans in Iraq.”
He added, “Some friendly health advice to Iran: If one American is killed, I will hold Iran responsible. Think it over.”
…Some friendly health advice to Iran: If one American is killed, I will hold Iran responsible. Think it over.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 23, 2020
On January 3, 2020, the U.S. carried out a strike on Soleimani after an Iranian-backed militia attacked the U.S. embassy in Iraq.
Days later, Iran responded by firing over a dozen missiles at an Iraqi military base where U.S. soldiers were stationed in retaliation for the strike on Soleimani. The attack did not kill any U.S. soldiers, but it did cause traumatic brain injury to over 100 soldiers.
At the time, it was unclear if the missile attack would be Iran’s last attempt to avenge Soleimani’s death.
However, on Sunday, the U.S. embassy in Baghdad was targeted by several missiles. But in a series of tweets it said there were no American injuries or casualties — although it added that there were reports that “innocent Iraqi civilians” were injured during the attack.
The U.S. Embassy confirms rockets targeting the International Zone resulted in the engagement of Embassy defensive systems. There was some minor damage on the Embassy compound but no injuries or casualties. 1/
— U.S. Embassy Baghdad (@USEmbBaghdad) December 20, 2020
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo released a statement regarding the attack and said it was carried out by Iranian-backed militias.
Axios reports that the U.S. is considering closing its embassy ahead of January 3 amid concerns of further retaliatory actions by Iran.