Pompeo ‘deeply concerned’ about reports of Iran smuggling missiles into Iraq

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo tweeted on Saturday that he was ‘deeply concerned’ about reports of Iran transferring missiles into Iraq and warned that if true, it would be a ‘gross violation of Iraqi sovereignty”.

“Deeply concerned about reports of #Iran transferring ballistic missiles into Iraq. If true, this would be a gross violation of Iraqi sovereignty and of UNSCR 2231. Baghdad should determine what happens in Iraq, not Tehran,” Pompeo wrote.

This comes one the same day as the top US diplomat spoke with two Iraqi leaders to express support for Iraq’s efforts to form a “moderate, nationalist” government that would serve all Iraqis.

State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert says in statements that Pompeo spoke with Iraq’s prime minister and vice president.

The results of Iraq’s elections were ratified two weeks ago, paving the way for a new parliament to convene and elect a president and a prime minister, who would form a new government. The process is complicated by political wrangling. A coalition led by a maverick Shiite cleric won the largest number of seats.

In Pompeo’s call with Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, he made clear “the importance of safeguarding Iraq’s sovereignty during this critical time.”

(With the Associated Press)