​​​​​​​US informs Iraq that it plans to close its embassy in Baghdad

The United States, according to the Washington Post, has informed the Iraqi government and its diplomatic partners that it plans to withdraw completely from its embassy in Baghdad unless Iraq curb attacks on individuals linked to the American presence there, a move Iraqi officials said surprised them.

It was unclear on Sunday whether the White House had agreed to a possible departure and what might prompt the Trump administration to suspend the plan, and a diplomat familiar with the situation said that if the administration moves forward, the embassy closure is expected to take 90 days, a window that will give Washington the opportunity to reinstate Decision evaluation.

"We hope that the American administration will reconsider this matter. There are groups seek to violate the law to undermine this relationship, and closing the embassy will send a negative message to them," said Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kazemi's spokesman, Ahmed Mulla Talal.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told al-Kazemi of the plans Saturday night, according to an official familiar with the matter, and two Western officials in Baghdad said their countries' diplomatic missions had been informed of the plan.

An Iraqi official said the US government had requested stronger action against the militias, indicating that the embassy closure could be avoided.

A State Department spokeswoman declined to comment on Pompeo's private diplomatic talks with foreign leaders but emphasized US frustration with Iran-backed groups firing missiles at our embassy.

She said that such attacks "pose a threat not only to us, but to the government of Iraq and the neighboring diplomatic missions and the population of the region and the surrounding areas."

The US State Department spokeswoman added, "The presence of outlaw militias supported by Iran at a time when the United States is trying to secure financial support for Iraq from the international community and the private sector remains the biggest deterrent to additional investment in Iraq."

The US decision comes on the heels of al-Kazemi's visit to Washington last month, which both sides described in glowing terms as a sign of a renewed partnership.

On Sunday, a senior official in al-Kazemi's office said that the prime minister was pressing European partners to try to persuade the United States to reverse its decision, citing "negative consequences" that could result from the country's stability.

Officials from three European embassies in Baghdad said their countries would remain even if it left the United States.

T/S

ANHA