US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo held a telephone call on Friday with Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi following recent attacks against oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman.
Pompeo conveyed to Abdul Mahdi Washington’s assessment that Iran was responsible for attacking the vessels, said a State Department statement.
He reiterated the United States’ commitment to upholding freedom of navigation.
Pompeo emphasized “our shared desire for a strong, free and sovereign Iraq,” said the statement.
He appreciated Abdul Mahdi’s “commitment to protect US personnel in Iraq supporting the Iraqi people and continuing the defeat ISIS campaign, and his continued efforts to counter threats to Iraq’s sovereignty from Iran-backed militias.”
The United States will continue to help Iraq build out its security forces.
