Pompeo Reportedly Threatens To Close U.S. Embassy In Iraq, Citing Attacks

“The Iran-backed groups launching rockets at our embassy are a danger not only to us but to the government of Iraq, neighboring diplomatic missions, and residents of the former International Zone and surrounding areas,” the State Department said in a statement to the New York Times.

The plan would relocate Matthew Tueller, the American ambassador to Iraq, to either the U.S. Consulate in Erbil or to the Al Asad Air Base, where American troops are stationed, according to the officials. 

Officials said Pompeo called Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi on Saturday and President Barham Salih on Sept. 20 to discuss the plans. 

A State Department spokesperson would not confirm the conversations or the shutdown proposal.

Pompeo has told U.S. officials he does not want any “Benghazi’s,” referencing the deaths of four Americans, including the U.S. ambassador, at a diplomatic compound in Benghazi, Libya, in a 2012 attack. 

American intelligence officials have said Iran does not want to take strong action against the U.S. before the election for fear of swaying it toward Trump or prompting military retaliation.