Military officer says no rise in Iran threat in Iraq, Syria

WASHINGTON — A senior officer in the U.S.-led military coalition combating the Islamic State says there is no increased threat from Iranian-backed forces in Iraq or Syria.

British Maj. Gen. Chris Ghika (gee-ka), speaking from coalition headquarters in Baghdad, made the remark Tuesday to reporters at the Pentagon in a videoconference.

Ghika said Iranian-backed forces in Iraq and Syria are among numerous sources of security threats to coalition troops, but he said that threat has not increased recently.

His comment follows assertions by Trump administration officials that they have detected signs that Iranian or Iranian-backed proxies were preparing for possible attacks against American interests in the Mideast. The administration cited the threats as the reason for expediting the deployment of an aircraft carrier strike group and other military resources to the region.

The Associated Press