Iran-backed groups targeted U.S. facilities in Iraq 600 times, U.S. official says

Iran warIran-backed groups targeted U.S. facilities in Iraq 600 times, U.S. official saysThe U.S. is urging the new Iraqi government to break with Iranian-linked groups and has sanctioned officials over their ties. Listen to this article with a free account00:0000:00An Iraqi army armored vehicle is deployed near the banks of the Tigris River to protect the U.S. Embassy fortified "Green Zone" in Baghdad on March 14.Hadi Mizban / AP fileShareAdd NBC News to GoogleMay 7, 2026, 5:04 PM EDTBy Abigail WilliamsWASHINGTON - The U.S. is urging the Iraqi government to break with Tehran-backed militia groups and has sanctioned Iraqi officials over their ties with Iran, following more than 600 attacks against U.S. diplomatic facilities in Iraq since the start of the U.S. and Israel-led war, according to the State Department and a senior state department official.Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.One facility, the Baghdad Diplomatic Support Center, which is a logistics hub for U.S. diplomats, has been targeted by repeated drone strikes and was hit in mid-March. As recently as Tuesday, the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad urged Americans to leave Iraq, warning that “militias continue to plot additional attacks against U.S. citizens and targets associated with the United States throughout Iraq.”Videos from some of the attacks in Baghdad show smoke rising from a facility near the airport in April, and a fire on the roof of the embassy in March. The State Department on Thursday announced it sanctioned Iraq’s Deputy Minister of Oil Ali Maarij al-Bahadly, arguing he had abused his position to divert Iraqi oil in support of the Iranian regime. Iranian oil was mixed with Iraqi oil and sold for Iran’s benefit, spokesman Tommy Pigott said. Oil sector companies that support militias were also hit with sanctions. Iraq’s embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment.The move is the latest effort b...