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Pentagon: Preemptive strikes on table to deter Iran in Iraq

The Pentagon could make preemptive strikes to protect US forces and personnel in Iraq, top Pentagon officials said today.
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The Donald Trump administration is willing to take preemptive strikes to protect US forces and personnel in Iraq, top Pentagon officials said today, after Iran-backed forces breached the American embassy in Baghdad earlier this week in response to Pentagon airstrikes.

"We will take preemptive action as well to protect American forces and protect American lives,” Defense Secretary Mark Esper told reporters in a Pentagon gaggle on Thursday. “The game has changed, and we’re prepared to do what is necessary to defend our personnel and our interests and our partners in the region.”

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