The U.S. revealed that it had brought in Patriot anti-missile batteries to Iraqi bases where there were a lot of U.S. troops. These bases have been attacked by Iran and Iran-backed Iraqi groups. Two batteries are already in Iraq and two more on the way. It is unclear if the U.S. got permission from Iraq for this as a request was made back in January and not much happened after that. Iraq is under heavy pressure from Iran to block the U.S. from bringing in Patriot batteries. Iran is unlikely to use ballistic missiles against American bases as it did in January. That attack backfired big time and was considered a failure. American intel believes Iran is trying to organize a major attack using its Iran-backed Iraqi militias. That is proving difficult because more members, and leaders, of those militias are no longer loyal to Iran. Months of anti-Iran protests throughout Iraq have had an impact on all Iraqis and many who believed Iran offered benefits to Iraq began reconsidering that. If more and more Iranians were protesting their own government, why should any Iraqis side with Iran.
I had noted earlier that we were consolidating troops in Iraq. To put them under a Patriot umbrella is why, it seems.
There is more on Iran and the effects of China, oil prices, and the Wuhan Flu. And it makes it easier to strike Iranian assets if they go after our troops there or in the region:
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that Iran or its proxies planned a sneak attack on U.S. targets in Iraq, and warned they would pay a "very heavy price" but gave no details.
"Upon information and belief, Iran or its proxies are planning a sneak attack on U.S. troops and/or assets in Iraq. If this happens, Iran will pay a very heavy price, indeed!" Trump said in a post on Twitter.
Phase IX of the Iraq War goes on.
And Iran might be desperate enough under pressure from sanctions, low oil prices, domestic unrest, and the Wuhan Flu to do something spectacularly stupid and destructive.
