Middle East conflict: US Embassy in Iraq's Baghdad attacked — Watch video
US Embassy Baghdad: With the war nearing its second week, Iraq faces escalating violence and economic turmoil due to attacks on oil infrastructure.
US Embassy Baghdad: Two Iraqi security officials said a missile hit a helipad within the U.S. Embassy compound in Baghdad, and footage from the Associated Press showed smoke rising over the embassy Saturday morning, as reported by AP.
The sprawling embassy complex, one of the largest US diplomatic facilities in the world, has been repeatedly targeted by rockets and drones fired by Iran-aligned militias.
There was no immediate comment from the US Embassy in Baghdad. On Friday, the embassy renewed its Level 4 security alert for Iraq, warning that Iran and Iran-aligned militia groups have previously carried out attacks against US citizens, interests and infrastructure, and "may continue to target them."
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The sprawling embassy complex, one of the largest US diplomatic facilities in the world, has been repeatedly targeted by rockets and drones in the past by Iran-aligned militias.
Since the conflict began on Feb. 28 with a major U.S.‑Israeli strike in Iran, drone and missile attacks have repeatedly struck American interests in Iraq — including military bases near Baghdad and at Erbil airports as well as U.S. diplomatic facilities. At the same time, Iran and allied Iraqi militias have launched strikes on oil fields and other energy infrastructure, escalating the economic impact of the war.
US Embassy Baghdad's last post before the attack: “Maintain a low profile”
US Embassy Baghdad's post on X, said, “Iran and the terrorist militia groups allied with it pose a significant threat to public safety in Iraq. Attacks targeting U.S. citizens, U.S. interests, and critical infrastructure have been observed.”
Earlier in the day, Iran’s armed forces warned that they would target oil infrastructure linked to Washington after President Donald Trump announced that the United States had bombed Iran’s oil hub, Kharg Island.
The military’s Al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, in a statement reported by Iranian media, said that any oil or energy facilities owned by companies cooperating with the United States would be “immediately destroyed and turned into a pile of ashes” if Iran’s own energy sites were attacked.
The announcement, reported by Iran's Fars and Tasnim news agencies, was in "response to statements" made by the US president who had earlier said in a social media post that strikes had "obliterated" military targets on Kharg Island.
Iraq is caught in the crossfire of the Iran war
Iraq is increasingly caught in the crossfire of the conflict involving Iran, becoming the only country targeted by both sides, raising the risk that a nation previously spared from two years of regional unrest could spiral into a full-scale crisis, as reported by AP.
As the war approaches its second week, conditions in Iraq are worsening. Attacks on oil fields and infrastructure, along with disruptions to Gulf shipping, have almost entirely halted exports, threatening a country that depends on this trade for the majority of its revenue.
Prox wars
Iran-backed groups have also targeted Kurdish factions in northern Iraq after reports that Washington planned to arm some of them to counter Tehran. Certain Iranian Kurdish leaders have indicated they might conduct cross-border operations into Iran if supported by the U.S, AP reported.
Iraq is currently governed by a caretaker administration after the U.S. opposed the nomination of former Prime Minister Nouri al‑Maliki. Caretaker Premier Mohammed Shia al‑Sudani, with even more limited authority, lacks the power to control influential militia groups.
In response, the U.S. has carried out strikes on militia positions across Iraq, including sites in Jurf al-Sakhr south of Baghdad, northern Iraq, and al-Qaim near the Iraq-Syria border.
As in previous conflicts, Iraqis have adapted to daily violence that disrupts everyday life. In Erbil, cafe patrons heard the sound of incoming drones followed by a muffled explosion and saw smoke rising on the horizon where a projectile was intercepted. A waiter reassured customers that the strikes were targeting U.S. facilities, such as the consulate or airport, and posed no direct danger to them.
(With inputs from agencies)
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Mausam Jha is a journalist who focuses on world affairs and politics. She provides clear, informative reporting with a good understanding of both global events and their local impact. <br><br> Her clear, accessible reporting on political and international issues makes her a trusted source of news and analysis. <br><br> For the past three years, Mausam has worked with Mint, covering national politics, IR—including elections—and global affairs.<br> Before joining her current role, she gained experience working with The Statesman, ANI, and Financial Express, where she honed her skills in political and international news. <br><br> She has consistently tracked key electoral battles, including US elections, Japan elections, policy debates, and strategic affairs, explaining how global currents, from great power competition to regional conflicts <br><br> Beyond journalism, Mausam has a deep engagement with international relations, diplomacy, war studies, terrorism, political history, and political theory. She is particularly interested in the intersection of statecraft and society on how governance, ideology, and institutions shape lived realities, and how politics shape today's world order. <br><br> An avid reader of classical literature and political thought, she constantly explores the connections between historical ideas and contemporary policy challenges.