BAGHDAD: Iraq has asked Tehran not to target US interests on Iraqi soil, a senior security official said Saturday, as Washington’s ally Israel and Iran traded blows, heightening tensions across the region.
The government in Baghdad is a close ally of Tehran but also a strategic partner of the United States, which has some 2,500 troops in Iraq as part of an anti-extremist coalition.
Fearing being caught up in a regional escalation, the Iraqi government asked Tehran not to strike on its territory, a senior Iraqi security official told AFP.
“The request was made. They promised us positive things,” said the official, requesting anonymity to discuss sensitive matters.
The official added that Tehran has shown understanding with regard to Baghdad’s request.
Iran launched a barrage of missiles at Israel early Saturday as part of “Operation True Promise 3,” in retaliation for Israeli airstrikes on Iranian nuclear and military facilities that resulted in the deaths of several senior Iranian generals.
The missile attack came a day after Israeli strikes killed nearly 80 people in Iran, including high-ranking military officers, and injured over 300 civilians, according to Iran’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Saeed Iravani.
Before the current escalation, Tehran had threatened to strike military bases hosting US forces in the region in the event of a conflict triggered by the possible failure of nuclear talks with Washington.
The United States on Wednesday announced it was reducing staffing at its Baghdad embassy, citing security reasons.
