SULAIMANI (ESTA) — The United States said it is prepared to react if Iran launches an attack to mark the first anniversary of the killing of top Iranian general Qassem Soleimani.
“We are prepared to defend ourselves, our friends and partners in the region, and we’re prepared to react if necessary,” General Kenneth McKenzie told a small group of journalists in a telephone interview from an undisclosed in the region, according to AFP.
A U.S. drone strike killed Soleimani near Baghdad airport on January 3.
“My assessment is we are in a very good position and we’ll be prepared for anything the Iranians or their proxies acting for them might choose to do,” AFP quoted McKenzie as saying.
The U.S. general said he had recently visited Baghdad, where he met with the head of the anti-jihadist coalition, American General Paul Calvert, as well as the Iraqi army chief of staff, General Abdulamir Yarallah.
Even as the U.S. Army continues troop withdrawals from Iraq and Afghanistan, the Pentagon has substantially reinforced its posture around Iraq to dissuade Iran from launching any attack, AFP reported.
The aircraft carrier USS Nimitz has been patrolling Gulf waters since late November, and two American B-52 bombers recently overflew the region in a demonstration of strength clearly aimed at Iran and its allies.
Still, a volley of rockets exploded Sunday near the U.S. embassy in Baghdad, causing material damage but no casualties.
It was the third attack on American military and diplomatic installations there since an indefinite truce was agreed with pro-Iranian groups in October.
