A missile struck a helipad inside the United States embassy compound in Baghdad, Iraq, according to Iraqi security officials.
Two security officials confirmed the incident to the Associated Press, while footage showed a column of smoke rising above the embassy compound on Saturday morning. The complex is one of the largest US diplomatic facilities in the world.
The facility has repeatedly been targeted by rockets and drones fired by Iran-aligned militias. Images circulating online also showed smoke and dust rising above the embassy after the strike. There was no immediate comment from the United States embassy in Baghdad.
On Friday, the embassy renewed its level-four security alert for Iraq, warning that Iran and Iran-aligned militia groups have previously carried out attacks against US citizens, interests, and infrastructure and may continue to target them.
The development comes two days after four crew members were confirmed dead following the crash of a Boeing KC‑135 Stratotanker in western Iraq. The aircraft went down on March 12 during operations in the region, according to the United States Central Command.
