The US Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq came under heavy rocket fire in a series of attacks believed to have been carried out by Iran-backed militias.
The groups have repeatedly targeted US infrastructure since the start of Israel’s war on Hamas to protest Washington DC’s pledge to help Tel Aviv.
The Embassy said the attack did not result in any casualty, with local media reporting the headquarters of an Iraqi security company was damaged by the rockets.
No one has claimed responsibility for the attack so far.
The strike marked the first time a US Embassy was directly targeted after weeks of US bases all across the Middle East on high alert for potential attacks.
Reports of explosions near the embassy, which is located at the centre of Baghdad, first emerged around 4 a.m. on Friday.
Locals were urged to take shelter as emergency sirens were activated.
US military bases have been subjected to dozens of attacks in Syria and Iraq, with Iran-aligned groups claiming responsibility on most occasions.
American troops have retaliated with a series of strikes that resulted in the death of at least 15 militants in Iraq and another seven in Syria.
A senior Hezbollah official said the attacks aim to put pressure on the US to call for a complete ceasefire from Israel in Gaza.
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani branded the militants carrying out attacks on the US “unruly, lawless groups that do not in any way represent the will of the Iraqi people.”
Al-Sudani directed the country’s security agencies to go after the perpetrators, noting they undermined Iraq’s pledge to protect foreign missions.
He also warned they undermine the stability and reputation of the country.
The US Embassy called on al-Sudani to act fast as a spokesperson warned they reserve the right to protect their staff from further attacks.
He said in a statement: “We reiterate that we reserve the right to self-defence and to protect our personnel anywhere in the world.”
