Baghdad (Iraq): US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Tuesday made an unannounced visit to Iraq hours after abruptly cancelling a scheduled trip to Germany due to "pressing issues." Amid escalating tensions with Iran, Pompeo arrived in Baghdad and met Prime Minister Adil Abd al-Mahdi, President Barham Salih and other senior officials in his four-hour visit to the country, CNN reported.

Linking his brief visit to "press US' concerns on Iran" to the Iraqi government, Pompeo said that his meetings were "productive" and said that he deliberated officials on "about the importance of Iraq ensuring that it's able to adequately protect Americans in their country."