Beltway Confidential

Iran-backed terrorism more likely if Mike Pompeo closes Basra consulate

By Michael Rubin
Published October 1, 2018 3:13pm ET
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Iran-backed terrorism more likely if Mike Pompeo closes Basra consulate
Pompeo said Thursday he is "confident" Russia meddled in the presidential election. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) | J. Scott Applewhite

On Sept. 28, the State Department announced that it would close the U.S. consulate in Basra, Iraq, in the face of alleged Iranian attacks. In a statement the same day, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo declared:

“Threats to our personnel and facilities in Iraq from the Government of Iran, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force, and from militias facilitated by and under the control and direction of the Quds Force leader Qasem Soleimani have increased over the past several weeks. There have been repeated incidents of indirect fire from elements of those militias directed at our Consulate General in Basrah [sic] and our Embassy in Baghdad, including within the past twenty-four hours. I have advised the Government of Iran that the United States will hold Iran directly responsible for any harm to Americans or to our diplomatic facilities in Iraq or elsewhere and whether perpetrated by Iranian forces directly or by associated proxy militias. I have made clear that Iran should understand that the United States will respond promptly and appropriately to any such attacks.”


If Pompeo truly wants to hold Iran responsible for its decadeslong campaign against diplomatic norms and security, then closing the U.S. consulate in Basra is the absolute worst choice he could make. Let’s put aside the fact that the U.S. consulate in Basra is located on the grounds of Basra International Airport, and so what the target of errant mortars was is unclear (none appears to have struck consulate grounds or property). Even if U.S. intelligence shows with certainty that Iranian-backed militias sought to target U.S personnel and property, shuttering the consulate is counterproductive because it conveys the idea that the United States will not hold firm in the face of terrorism or enemies.

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Tag:

Iran Iraq Middle East Mike Pompeo State Department Terrorism