
Iraq on high alert as Iran reportedly eyes US Embassy retaliation
Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – Tensions in the Middle East have escalated sharply following U.S. airstrikes on Iran's nuclear facilities on June 21, targeting key nuclear sites in Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan.
In response, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani has ordered increased security across Baghdad's Green Zone, while U.S. diplomatic missions and military bases have implemented heightened precautionary measures.
Iraqi sources suggest that Iran may consider targeting the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad in retaliation for the damage to its nuclear program.
Iranian Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh warned that 'all U.S. bases are within our reach' in the event of further conflict. This includes prominent sites in Iraq—such as Al-Asad Air Base, Camp Taji, and Ramadi—as well as bases across the Gulf.
The United States has already evacuated non-essential personnel from its embassy in Baghdad and authorized military dependents to leave key bases in Bahrain, Kuwait, and Qatar.
Iraq now finds itself at the heart of a fragile and dangerous standoff. With both domestic and foreign targets on alert, any misstep could trigger a broader regional escalation.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Memri
36 minutes ago
- Memri
Iranian TV Host Amir-Hossein Tahmasebi Advises Israelis to 'Hurry Up' and Learn How to Swim, Before Iran Completely Destroys Their Infrastructure: Crawl Back to the European Stables and Sties You Came
Iranian TV host Amir-Hossein Tahmasebi swore on Channel 3 (Iran) on June 19, 2025, that Iranians will turn Tel Aviv and Haifa into rubble and that they will do the same to any 'impure' country that collaborates with the Zionist regime. He declared that Iranians will be the ones to decide what happens in Israel, and he advised Israelis to look for a mouse hole to hide in and to start practicing swimming - suggesting they use YouTube to learn - before Iran completely destroys their infrastructure. Tahmasebi told Israelis to go back to 'the stable and sty they came from' in Europe, saying that they did not appreciate it in the past, but now they should hurry up and return to it.


Memri
36 minutes ago
- Memri
Former IRGC Commander-in-Chief General Mohsen Rezaee on June 19: We Still Have Our Nuclear Capabilities; Beware of Forcing Us to Cross the Line, We Will Annihilate You
Council, appeared on IRINN TV (Iran) on June 19, 2025, to discuss Israel's recent attack against Iran. Rezaee stated that Iran still possesses all its enriched nuclear material, its nuclear scientists, and the factories producing nuclear equipment. He warned that others must be careful not to push Iran beyond the red line it has drawn for itself, and that if that line is crossed, Iran will annihilate them and make it impossible for them to live anywhere in the world, not just in the region. Rezaee said that while the enemy "shocked" Iran on the first day of the assault, the shock transformed into an 'Iranian Flood,' which is ten times more powerful than the 'Al-Aqsa Flood,' referring to the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack on Israel. He claimed that if Iran achieves 'total victory,' the country will enjoy security for the next 50 years, its economic problems will be resolved, and sanctions will be lifted. He said Iran has so far used only 30% of its actual capabilities, and less than 5% of its potential. He claimed new capabilities will be deployed in the coming days, noting that Iran has not yet used its naval power, oil leverage, or the strategic Strait of Hormuz. Rezaee also stated that Iran's 'friends' bordering Israel have expressed willingness to join the fight, but Iran has told them that it is currently acting alone.


Shafaq News
an hour ago
- Shafaq News
US attack on Iran's nuclear facilities sparks global condemnation
Shafaq News/ The US airstrikes on Iran's nuclear facilities at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan sparked a wave of international backlash on Sunday. UN Secretary-General António Guterres denounced the use of force, calling it 'a dangerous escalation' and 'a direct threat to international peace and security.' He emphasized that diplomacy remains the only viable path. I am gravely alarmed by the use of force by the United States against Iran today. This is a dangerous escalation in a region already on the edge – and a direct threat to international peace and security. There is a growing risk that this conflict could rapidly get out of… — António Guterres (@antonioguterres) June 22, 2025 Saudi Arabia expressed 'deep concern,' urging immediate de-escalation and warning that further strikes could push the region toward greater instability. 'We are closely monitoring developments in the Islamic Republic of Iran.' #بيان | تتابع المملكة العربية السعودية بقلق بالغ تطورات الأحداث في الجمهورية الإسلامية الإيرانية الشقيقة المتمثلة في استهداف المنشآت النووية الإيرانية من قبل الولايات المتحدة الأمريكية. — وزارة الخارجية 🇸🇦 (@KSAMOFA) June 22, 2025 Iraq condemned the US-Israeli strikes as a flagrant violation of Iranian sovereignty, warning that the attacks could unravel an already fragile security balance across the region. Qatar condemned the targeting of nuclear sites, urged an end to military operations, and warned of 'catastrophic consequences' if tensions escalate. It endorsed diplomatic efforts to restore stability. بيان | دولة قطر تأسف للتدهور الذي بلغته الأمور بقصف المنشآت النووية الإيرانية #الخارجية_القطرية — الخارجية القطرية (@MofaQatar_AR) June 22, 2025 Oman blasted the strikes as a violation of international law and the UN Charter. It underscored Iran's right to pursue peaceful nuclear programs under IAEA oversight and invoked the Geneva Conventions prohibiting attacks on nuclear facilities due to contamination risks. #بيان | أعرب ناطق بوزارة الخارجية عن بالغ القلق والاستنكار إزاء التصعيد الناجم عن القصف الجوي المباشر الذي شنته الولايات المتحدة على مواقع في الجمهورية الإسلامية الإيرانية، وإدانة سلطنة عمان لهذا العدوان غير القانوني ودعوتها إلى خفض التصعيد الفوري والشامل، — وزارة الخارجية (@FMofOman) June 22, 2025 New Zealand described the situation as 'extremely worrying,' calling on all parties to return to negotiations, while Australia reaffirmed concerns over Iran's missile and nuclear programs but referenced President Donald Trump's own words: 'NOW IS THE TIME FOR PEACE.' Mexico reiterated its constitutional commitment to peaceful resolution and called for swift diplomatic engagement to stabilize the region. La @SRE_mx hace un llamado urgente al diálogo diplomático por la paz entre las partes involucradas en el conflicto de Medio apego a nuestros principios constitucionales de política exterior y a la convicción pacifista de nuestro país, reiteramos nuestro exhorto a… — Relaciones Exteriores (@SRE_mx) June 22, 2025 Venezuela blasted the strikes as 'U.S. military aggression' in service of Israeli interests, warning of broad geopolitical fallout. Cuba labeled the action a grave breach of international law that risks 'irreversible consequences.' Condenamos enérgicamente bombardeos de EEUU contra instalaciones nucleares de Irán que constituyen peligrosa escalada de conflicto en Oriente viola gravemente Carta ONU y Derecho Internacional y arrastra a la humanidad a una crisis de irreversibles consecuencias. — Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez (@DiazCanelB) June 22, 2025 In Latin America, governments also expressed varied concerns. Colombia urged restraint and diplomacy, while Chile slammed the strikes as illegal, stressing that military power must not override international norms. Bolivia called the attack reckless, warning that targeting nuclear facilities endangers not only the Middle East but global safety. Condenamos enérgicamente el ataque arbitrario de a instalaciones nucleares de la República Islámica de Irán. Bombardear objetivos de esta naturaleza no solo pone en riesgo la paz regional y global, sino que vulnera principios fundamentales del Derecho Internacional y la… — Luis Alberto Arce Catacora (Lucho Arce) (@LuchoXBolivia) June 22, 2025 This is a breaking story... Estados Unidos anuncia que acaba de bombardear centrales nucleares en Irán. Atacar centrales nucleares está prohibido por el derecho internacional. Chile condena este ataque de el respeto al derecho internacional humanitario en todas las instancias. Tener… — Gabriel Boric Font (@GabrielBoric) June 22, 2025