US closes consulate in southern Iraq following attacks

WASHINGTON (AP) - The State Department said Friday that it would temporarily close the U.S. consulate in the southern Iraqi city of Basra following a rocket attack earlier this month blamed on Iranian-backed militias.

Diplomatic staff and their families were being evacuated and consular services will be provided from the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called it a “temporary relocation” in response to what he called “increasing and specific threats” from the Iranian government and militias under its control. He warned that the U.S. would respond to any more attacks.

“I have advised the Government of Iran that the United States will hold Iran directly responsible for any harm to Americans or to our diplomatic facilities in Iraq or elsewhere and whether perpetrated by Iranian forces directly or by associated proxy militias,” he said.

Basra hosts one of three U.S. diplomatic missions in Iraq. It is the country’s oil capital and main port but remains one of the least developed parts of the country. It has been shaken by violent protests in recent months over entrenched corruption and poor public services.

Earlier this month, protesters turned their rage on neighboring Iran, blaming its outsized influence in Iraq’s political affairs for their misery. They stormed the Iranian consulate and set it on fire, causing significant damage.

About a week later, after a Shiite militia vowed revenge for the attack on the Iranian consulate, three Katyusha rockets were fired at Basra’s airport, which houses the U.S. consulate. No casualties were reported.

Pompeo tweeted Tuesday that Iran-supported militias had launched the attacks, warning, “We’ll hold Iran’s regime accountable for any attack on our personnel or facilities, and respond swiftly and decisively in defense of American lives.”

The temporary closure of the Basra consulate comes as the Trump administration is increasing pressure on Iran ahead of powerful sanctions set to take effect in November.

The Trump administration withdrew from the landmark 2015 deal with Iran in May and has been gradually re-introducing sanctions against the government in Tehran. At a speech in New York this week, Pompeo ticked off a list of complaints against the Iranian government, from its support of Syrian President Bashar Assad and Houthi rebels in Yemen to sponsoring or plotting attempted terrorist attacks in Africa, Asia and Europe.