After the US government warned that it might close down its embassy in Baghdad due to the frequent Iranian attacks, Iraq’s foreign minister arrived in Tehran on Saturday morning for a two-day visit.
Iraq’s Fuad Hussein and Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif reportedly discussed bilateral relations, regional developments including the security situation in Iraq and a series of attacks on US forces.
The visit comes after the US threatened to close its embassy in Baghdad if the Iraqi government fails to take action against militia groups backed by Iran targeting US forces in Iraq.
Iraqi media reported earlier that US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo sent a letter of warning to Iraqi President Barham Salih threatening to close its diplomatic mission in Baghdad.
The letter warned that the US will “liquidate” those responsible for attacking US interests in Iraq, referring to militia groups like Kataib Hezbollah and Asaib Ahl al-Haq, both supported by Iran.
The letter allegedly threatened to sanction Iran and withhold aid to Iraq from the World Bank and International Monetary Fund, if the US Embassy is forced to close.
Hussein came to Tehran with a message from Salih’s government urging Iran to avoid further attacks on US forces.
