Drone strike targets US embassy in Iraq as Western leaders urge de-escalation in Lebanon

By Muhammad MubashirPublished On 17 Mar 2026
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  • Drones and rockets have been launched at the US embassy in Iraq's capital Baghdad, in the second such attack of the war

  • Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates reopens its airspace after missile and drone threats from Iran forced it to close briefly

  • Donald Trump continues to call on other nations, particularly Nato allies, to help secure the Strait of Hormuz, a key oil shipping route

  • But German Chancellor Friedrich Merz says this war "is not a matter for Nato", while the alliance says "allies have already stepped up to provide additional security in the Mediterranean"

  • In the third week of this war, Trump faces decisions that could define the rest of his presidency - read our North America correspondent's analysis

  • Elsewhere, leaders of the UK, Canada, France, Germany and Italy issue a joint statement, saying a significant Israeli ground offensive in Lebanon would have "devastating humanitarian consequences"