The U.S. Blames the Explosion at Baghdad Airport on Forces Close to Tehran

Three days after explosive attacks on the U.S. diplomatic compound at Baghdad Airport, the U.S. Embassy in Iraq attributed the attack to groups close to the Islamic Republic of Iran just hours before the arrival of Masoud Pezeshkian at the airport. Iraqi security officials reported on Wednesday morning, September 21, that while making final preparations to welcome Masoud Pezeshkian, they heard two loud explosions. An Iraqi security official stated that two Katyusha rockets struck a section of the airport where U.S. forces and international coalition troops are stationed, with one hitting the wall of this section and the other landing inside the area. The attack did not cause any casualties. On Friday, September 23, the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad announced that the attack was carried out by Iran-affiliated militia groups that are 'operating freely in Iraq.' The statement did not specify the name of the group suspected of carrying out the attack. The U.S. Embassy emphasized its 'right to defend itself and its personnel anywhere in the world,' but did not provide further details in this regard. The facility used by the U.S. at Baghdad Airport is linked to the U.S. Embassy in the Iraqi capital and is supported logistically and medically by the embassy. Concurrently with Pezeshkian's visit, the U.S. in its statement on Friday urged the Baghdad government to fulfill its commitments to protect American personnel and facilities used by coalition forces in Iraq. The U.S. Embassy reminded that coalition forces in Iraq are present at the invitation of the Iraqi government, and it is Baghdad's duty to ensure the safety of these forces and their workplaces. Jaafar al-Husseini, spokesperson for the 'Kata'ib Hezbollah Iraq' group, which is considered one of the most important proxy arms of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Iraq, on Wednesday distanced his group from the attack at Baghdad Airport and condemned the attack 'strongly.' Jaafar al-Husseini called for an investigation to clarify who was responsible for the attack on the eve of the Iranian President's visit to Iraq. Iran-backed Shiite armed groups in Iraq have repeatedly targeted U.S. interests in Iraq during the 11 months of the Gaza war to express their anger towards Washington for its 'support of Israel' against the extremist group Hamas. Hamas, which is recognized as a terrorist organization by the U.S. and the European Union, is supported by Tehran and its proxy groups in the region, from Shiite militants in Iraq to Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen. The Islamic Republic of Iran did not respond to the attack on Baghdad Airport. The Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic has consistently emphasized the need to end the presence of U.S. forces in Iraq during recent meetings with senior Iraqi officials visiting Tehran. Meanwhile, Iraq, as a U.S. partner in the region, still hosts 2,500 U.S. military personnel. Masoud Pezeshkian began his trip to Iraq on Wednesday with a visit to Baghdad, where Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani welcomed him at the airport. Mr. Pezeshkian continued his visit to Iraq on Thursday by first traveling to Erbil and then to Sulaymaniyah in the Kurdistan region. His presence in the Kurdistan region was described as 'historic' due to being the first visit by an Iranian president to these Kurdish areas. Masoud Pezeshkian, whose mother is Kurdish, spoke fluently in Kurdish with his hosts and also with reporters from the Kurdistan region of Iraq, which was well received by the Kurds of the country.