Pompeo on surprise Iraq visit amid rising Iran tensions

US secretary of state makes unannounced Baghdad stop on eve of first anniversary since pullout from Iran nuclear deal.
The top diplomat of the United States has made an unannounced visit to Iraq, underlining Washington’s efforts to stand up its ties with Baghdad as it pushes ahead with its “maximum pressure” against Tehran – a US arch foe but an ally of neighbouring Iraq.
Mike Pompeo on Tuesday suddenly cancelled talks in Germany and made a long detour from a European tour to spend four hours in Iraq, where he met both President Barham Salih and Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi. ”We talked to them about the importance of Iraq ensuring that it’s able to adequately protect Americans in their country,” the US secretary of state told reporters after the meetings. “They both provided assurances that they understood that was their responsibility,” he said.
In a brief statement, Iraqi Foreign Minister Mohammed Ali al-Hakim said.