Pompeo’s surprise visit to Baghdad came on the eve of the first anniversary of President Trump’s withdrawal from a landmark nuclear agreement with Iran. While flying to Iraq, Pompeo said his trip was prompted by reports of escalation in Iranian activity. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo boards a plane before departing Baghdad International Airport on Tuesday. Iran in turn has said it will protect itself from “economic terrorism.”Pompeo has stopped short of calling for regime change. Pompeo said he had talked by phone with Trump on Monday night, when Pompeo was still in Finland for a meeting of the Arctic Council.

Source: Washington Post May 07, 2019 21:17 UTC