US blames Iran for attack on its embassy in Iraq

Washington - US officials said that a small number of additional Marines were expected to go to the US embassy in Baghdad.

US President Donald Trump blamed Iran on Tuesday for "orchestrating" an attack on the US embassy in Baghdad and said he would hold Tehran responsible, as officials said more Marines were expected to be sent to the mission.
"Iran killed an American contractor, wounding many. We strongly responded, and always will. Now Iran is orchestrating an attack on the US Embassy in Iraq. They will be held fully responsible. In addition, we expect Iraq to use its forces to protect the Embassy, and so notified," Trump said on Twitter.
"To those many millions of people in Iraq who want freedom and who don't want to be dominated and controlled by Iran, this is your time!," Trump wrote in another Twitter post.
US officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that a small number of additional Marines were expected to go to the US embassy in Baghdad.
One official said they were expected to number in the dozens and would be there temporarily.
The US State Department and White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on whether the American ambassador and other staff had been evacuated from the embassy compound in the Iraqi capital.