Blinken visits Iraq in hopes of curbing the conflict between Israel and Hamas

There have been a sequence of assaults by militias concentrating on our personnel, each in Iraq and Syria. Job primary for me is to make sure the protection of our folks. And so I obtained an replace on every part we’re doing to ensure our employees is secure. I had a great, productive and frank assembly with Prime Minister al-Sudani. And there have been actually two areas of focus for me at that assembly. The primary was to reaffirm our dedication to our partnership with Iraq. The threats from militias linked to Iran are fully unacceptable, and we are going to take all mandatory steps to guard our folks. We aren’t in search of battle with Iran; We’ve made that very clear. However we are going to do what is important to guard our personnel, whether or not navy or civilian. To anybody who desires to make the most of the battle in Gaza to threaten our personnel right here or elsewhere within the area: do not do it.