U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper said on Thursday there were indications
Iran or forces it backs may be planning additional attacks, warning that the "game has changed" and it was possible the
United States might have to take preemptive action to protect
American lives.
"There are some indications out there that they may be planning additional attacks, that is nothing new ... we've seen this for two or three months now," Esper told reporters, without providing evidence or details about the U.S. assessment.
Iranian-backed demonstrators hurled rocks at the U.S. embassy in Baghdad during two days of
protests, then withdrew on Wednesday after
Washington dispatched extra troops.