U.S. summons Iraqi ambassador after drone strike as Gulf tensions escalate

The United States summoned Iraq’s ambassador after a drone struck a major U.S. diplomatic support facility in Baghdad, the State Department said, as tensions escalated across the Gulf.

Earlier, the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad said an Iran-linked Iraqi militant group had launched multiple drone attacks near the Baghdad Diplomatic Support Center and the capital’s international airport.

U.S. President Donald Trump also warned Iran against charging tankers for passage through the Strait of Hormuz.

“There are reports that Iran is charging tankers… They better not be doing that, and if they are, they should stop immediately,” he wrote on Truth Social.

In Kuwait, the defence ministry said air defences were intercepting hostile drones targeting key sites, while explosions were reported in the country. Iraqi airspace was closed due to security concerns, with reports of drone activity across the region, including in the United Arab Emirates.

Iranian-linked channels said “Islamic Resistance in Iraq” had launched drone attacks on a U.S. base in Kuwait, while Iranian air defences were activated over Tehran and other cities.

Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh said Tehran had been close to responding to a ceasefire violation but held back after mediation by Pakistan. He added Iran would attend planned talks in Islamabad.

Separately, Trump said he was “very optimistic” about reaching a deal with Iran, adding Tehran’s negotiators were “much more reasonable” in talks.