US Seeks Iraq’s Permission to Deploy Patriot Missile Defense System

The United States is working to get Iraq’s permission for the deployment of Patriot missile defense system in the country to protect the US forces against any future missile attack, Defense Secretary Mark Esper said on Friday.

The request comes after Iran hit the US bases in Iraq on 8th January in retaliation for the killing of its top general Qasem Soleimani.

"That is one of the matters we have to work on and work through" with the Baghdad government, Esper told reporters from the Pentagon.

He pointed out that the commander of the US troops in Iraq "feels he needs" the Patriot defense system now, and that the Pentagon supports the commander’s request.