WASHINGTON, March 10 (Reuters) – A drone struck a major U.S. diplomatic facility in Iraq on Tuesday in suspected retaliation by pro-Tehran militias over the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran, the Washington Post reported, citing an unidentified security official and an internal U.S. State Department alert.
The strike hit the diplomatic support center, a logistical hub for U.S. diplomats near Baghdad airport and Iraqi military bases, the Post reported.
It was not clear from the report whether there were any injuries. The White House, U.S. State Department and Pentagon did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The Post reported that six drones were launched toward the compound in Baghdad, one of which hit the U.S. facility while five were shot down. The security official, who the Post said spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss a sensitive security situation, was not aware of any casualties.
The State Department issued an internal alert saying a drone hit near a guard tower and that individuals at the facility were ordered to “duck and cover,” according to the Post.
The attack was likely carried out by the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella group of Iran-backed armed factions, the Post reported, citing the security official.
The U.S. and Israel began attacks on Iran on February 28. Iran has responded with its own strikes on Israel and on U.S. bases in Gulf countries. Iran’s U.N. ambassador said the U.S.-Israeli strikes had killed more than 1,300 civilians.
Israel says 11 civilians have been killed in Iranian attacks while the U.S. military says seven service members have been killed. Earlier on Tuesday, Reuters reported that as many as 150 U.S. troops have been wounded in the war.
President Donald Trump has said the strikes were aimed to eliminate what he called imminent threats from Iran, citing its nuclear and ballistic missile programs, its support for Hamas and Hezbollah and its “menacing activities.” Iran, which denies seeking a nuclear weapon, has called the attacks a violation of its sovereignty.
(Reporting by Ismail Shakil and Kanishka Singh; Editing by Kate Mayberry)
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