Iraqi envoy calls on US to reopen Basra consulate
At an exclusive Al-Monitor event, Iraq’s ambassador to the United States urged the Donald Trump administration to reopen its consulate in Basra, which the State Department closed last year amid rocket attacks from Iran-backed militias.
Iraq’s envoy to Washington urged the Donald Trump administration today to reopen the US Consulate in the southern city of Basra, which was shuttered after Iran-backed militias attacked the facility.
“If you can relay that message to anyone in the State Department: Please send your consul back to Basra,” Fareed Yasseen said at an exclusive Al-Monitor breakfast in Washington.
The State Department described the closure as “temporary” when it relocated US diplomatic staff in September, but has shown no indication it plans to reopen it. The United States has blamed Iranian-backed militias controlled by Quds Force leader Qasem Soleimani for the attack.
“Iran should understand that the United States will respond promptly and appropriately to any such attacks,” Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said at the time.
