Trump responds to attack on US Embassy in Baghdad: ‘If one American is killed, I will hold Iran responsible’

The U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq, was targeted hit by “several rockets” on Sunday in an attack that caused damage to the compound but, thankfully, failed to seriously injure or kill anyone inside the fortified area. Now, President Donald Trump is issuing an ultimatum.

In a tweet Wednesday, the president said the attack stemmed from Iran and sent some “friendly health advice” to the Islamic Republic: “If one American is killed, I will hold Iran responsible.”

According to the Washington Examiner, news of the attack first broke Sunday, when Iraqi security officials said the U.S. Embassy was targeted by “at least three rockets.”

Trump puts Iran on notice

In response to the attack, Trump took to Twitter to share a photo of three unexploded munitions that were recovered after the fusillade and issue his stern warning to Iran.

“Think it over,” he wrote.

…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

Iran talks smack back

According to Reuters, Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif was quick to push back against President Trump with some tweets of his own Thursday that didn’t exactly disavow Iranian involvement in the attack, but suggested that Trump was merely trying to steer attention away from problems here in America.

“Putting your own citizens at risk abroad won’t divert attention from catastrophic failures at home,” Zarif said in one tweet, as Reuters reported. In another post, the Iranian foreign minister highlighted the money spent and lives lost by America in the Iraq War.

“Trump will bear full responsibility for any adventurism on his way out,” Zarif said.

Pinning the blame

The Associated Press reports that there was little doubt among U.S. officials regarding Iran’s involvement in the attack — at least by way of arming and supporting the “outlaw” militia groups that actually carried out the assault on the embassy compound in what is known as the “Green Zone” of Baghdad.

“The Dec. 20, 2020 rocket attack on the green zone in Iraq was almost certainly conducted by an Iranian-backed Rogue Militia Group,” U.S Central Command spokesman Capt. Bill Urban said in a statement, according to the Washington Examiner.

He went on: “While this 21 rocket attack caused no U.S. injuries or casualties, the attack did damage buildings in the U.S. Embassy compound, and was clearly NOT intended to avoid casualties. The United States will hold Iran accountable for the deaths of any Americans that result from the work of these Iranian-backed Rogue Militia Groups.”

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