Iran secretly moving missiles into Iraq, US officials say

Iran has used the continuing chaos in Iraq to build up a hidden arsenal of short-range ballistic missiles in Iraq, part of a widening effort to try to intimidate the Middle East and assert its power, according to US intelligence and military officials. The buildup comes as the United States has rebuilt its military presence in the Middle East to counter emerging threats to American interests, including attacks on oil tankers and facilities that intelligence officials have blamed on Iran. Since May, the Trump administration has sent roughly 14,000 additional troops to the region, primarily to staff Navy ships and missile defence systems.

But new intelligence about Iran’s stockpiling of missiles in Iraq is the latest sign that the Trump administration’s efforts to deter Tehran by increasing the US military presence in the Middle East has largely failed. The missiles pose a threat to US allies and partners in the region, including Israel and Saudi Arabia, and could endanger American troops, the intelligence officials said.

Both Iran and Iraq have been gripped in recent weeks by sometimes violent public protests. In Iraq, some are protesting against Iranian influence.

Iraqis “do not want to be led around on a leash by the Iranians,” Rep. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., a member of the House Armed Services Committee, said in an interview.

 

Iran secretly moving missiles into Iraq, US officials say

Iran has used the continuing chaos in Iraq to build up a hidden arsenal of short-range ballistic missiles in Iraq, part of a widening effort to try to intimidate the Middle East and assert its power, according to US intelligence and military officials. The buildup comes as the United States has rebuilt its military presence in the Middle East to counter emerging threats to American interests, including attacks on oil tankers and facilities that intelligence officials have blamed on Iran. Since May, the Trump administration has sent roughly 14,000 additional troops to the region, primarily to staff Navy ships and missile defence systems. But new intelligence about Irans stockpiling of missiles in Iraq is the latest sign that the Trump administrations efforts to deter Tehran by increasing the US military presence in the Middle East has largely failed. The missiles pose a threat to US allies and partners in the region, including Israel and Saudi Arabia, and could endanger American troops, the intelligence officials said. Both Iran and Iraq have been gripped in recent weeks by sometimes violent public protests. In Iraq, some are protesting against Iranian influence. Iraqis do not want to be led around on a leash by the Iranians, Rep. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., a member of the House Armed Services Committee, said in an interview.