US officials say Iraq was not notified ahead of strikes on Iran-linked targets

CNN

Contradicting earlier claims, US officials reveal Iraq was not notified prior to airstrikes

US officials have confirmed that Iraq was not notified ahead of a series of strikes on Iran-linked targets, contradicting earlier statements from the government. State Department deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel admitted during a briefing that there was no pre-notification, but the Iraqis were informed immediately after the strikes occurred. This revelation is in contrast to the earlier claim made by National Security Council spokesman John Kirby that the Iraqi government was notified prior to the strikes.

Subhead 1

The US strikes on more than 80 targets were conducted in response to a drone attack in Jordan that killed three US soldiers and left many others wounded. The Iraqi government denounced the US strikes, calling them a flagrant violation of the country’s sovereignty. The clarification from US officials regarding Iraq’s notification comes at a crucial time as talks on the future of the US presence in Iraq are expected to begin soon. While officials have avoided discussing the possibility of a complete US withdrawal, they have stressed the need for a transition to a normal bilateral security cooperation relationship.

Subhead 2

Prior to the strikes, both Iraqi officials and public channels were aware of the US intention to respond to the attacks. However, for operational security reasons, Iraq was not formally notified with specific details regarding the strikes. The Pentagon and the National Security Council spokespersons reiterated Iraq’s understanding that there would be a response, as is the case with other countries in the region. Iraq is considered a valued partner, and the US will continue to consult and work closely with them.

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This recent revelation raises questions about transparency and the extent of coordination between the US and Iraq. The lack of official pre-notification, along with the conflicting statements from US officials, further escalate tensions and threaten regional security and stability. It remains to be seen how these developments will affect the ongoing discussions between the US and the Iraqi government regarding the future of the US military presence in the country.