BAGHDAD — Iraq’s capital was shaken by a series of powerful explosions late Tuesday as the U.S. Embassy and the heavily fortified Green Zone came under a coordinated drone and rocket assault. The strikes represent a major escalation in regional hostilities, occurring amid the ongoing conflict between U.S.-Israeli forces and Iran that began on February 28, 2026.
Iraqi security sources confirmed that the diplomatic compound was targeted by a combination of at least five drones and multiple rockets. While the embassy’s automated defense systems successfully intercepted two of the drones, a third reportedly struck a helipad or outer wall within the compound, sparking a visible fire that illuminated the night sky.
Widespread Impacts and Interceptions
The assault was not limited to the embassy grounds. Additional projectiles caused disruptions across the city:
- Diplomatic Quarters: One projectile reportedly impacted the roof of the Al-Rasheed Hotel, a high-security facility frequently used by international diplomats and journalists.
- Logistics Centers: A separate drone targeting a U.S. logistics facility at Baghdad International Airport was intercepted and downed by security forces.
- Residential Alarm: Air raid sirens echoed throughout central Baghdad for several hours as residents reported windows rattling from the force of the blasts.
Attribution and Military Response
The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella organization of Tehran-aligned militias, claimed responsibility for the operation. In a statement released shortly after the blasts, the group asserted it had conducted over 20 strikes against U.S.-affiliated targets within a 24-hour window, demanding the immediate withdrawal of all “foreign occupiers” from Iraqi soil.
Iraqi security forces have since cordoned off all entrances to the Green Zone and deployed additional armored units to the capital’s sensitive districts. While smoke was seen rising from multiple impact sites, there have been no immediate reports of casualties among embassy personnel or Iraqi civilians.
Diplomatic Fallout
The U.S. State Department has yet to issue a formal casualty or damage assessment, though the embassy remained on “high alert” status throughout Wednesday morning. The strikes come at a delicate moment for the Trump administration, which is currently managing simultaneous military operations in the Persian Gulf and a deepening diplomatic rift with several South American and Middle Eastern partners.
The Iraqi government has condemned the breach of the Green Zone, calling it a violation of national sovereignty, even as it faces mounting domestic pressure from militia factions to distance itself from U.S. military activities.
