US to close Consulate in Iraq
(VOVWORLD) - The US State Department announced on Friday that it has decided to place its consulate in the Iraqi city of Basra on "ordered departure," citing increasing security threats from Iran.
 People protest against poor public services in Basra, Iraq, Sept 5th 2018. (Photo: AFp) |
The decision was made by State Secretary Mike Pompeo, said the department spokesperson Heather Nauert in a statement, adding that the US Embassy in Baghdad will continue to provide full consular services. Minutes later, Pompeo said in a separate statement that there were increasing threats to US personnel and facilities in Iraq over the past several weeks. Pompeo warned that the United States will "respond promptly and appropriately" to any attack on Americans or US diplomatic facilities by Iranian forces.