CONTEXT :

• S. President Donald Trump on Sunday warned he would destroy Iran if it threatens the U.S.
• “If Iran wants to fight, that will be the official end of Iran. Never threaten the United States again” – Trump

BACKGROUND :

• Tensions between the long-time foes resumed a little over a year ago when the U.S. withdrew from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), an international deal aimed at containing Iran’s nuclear programme in exchange for stopping crippling sanctions against the country.
• The Iraqi government reporting that a rocket had been fired into Baghdad’s Green Zone an area that includes government buildings as well as the U.S. Embassy.
• The U.S. had already ordered non-essential staff out of Iraq and the White House had announced in early May that it was sending an aircraft carrier and bombers to West Asia.
• An Iraqi military spokesperson was quoted by the Associated Press as saying the rocket was fired from east Baghdad, an area controlled by Shia militias, which are backed by Iran.