The United States embassy in Baghdad, the world's largest diplomatic mission, was targeted in a coordinated attack involving at least one missile and a drone on March 14, 2026, causing a fire but no reported casualties.

Coordinated Strike

The embassy compound was hit by both a missile striking a helipad and a drone causing a fire.

No Casualties

Initial reports from security sources indicate that there have been no injuries or deaths resulting from the attack.

Attribution Uncertainty

While one source claims an Iranian missile was used, most reports attribute the strike to unnamed regional actors with no group claiming responsibility.

The United States embassy in Baghdad was targeted in a coordinated missile and drone attack on March 14, 2026. According to security sources and reports from AP and Reuters, at least one missile struck a helipad located within the embassy compound. Local witnesses and media reports described a large plume of smoke rising over the diplomatic facility immediately following the impact. Additional reports from ANSA and La Razón indicated that a drone also struck the site, which triggered a fire within the mission grounds. Emergency services were deployed to manage the blaze inside the heavily fortified Green Zone as security forces went on high alert.

There are no reports of casualties among embassy personnel or security staff as of the latest updates following the morning strikes. While most international news agencies cited general security sources regarding the nature of the weapons, the Polish outlet Gazeta Prawna identified the projectile that hit the compound specifically as an Iranian missile. Other reports remained more cautious, attributing the incident to unidentified drones and missiles launched toward the diplomatic district. The strike on the helipad marks a significant breach of the compound's perimeter, which is one of the most heavily guarded sites in Iraq. The U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, which spans approximately 104 acres, has been the frequent target of rocket and drone attacks by various militia groups over the past decade. Security at the facility was significantly reinforced following a major breach of the outer perimeter by protesters in December 2019. The compound remains the largest U.S. diplomatic mission globally and serves as a central hub for American operations in the region.

Joshua Harris, the U.S. Chargé d'Affaires ad interim in Baghdad, is currently leading the mission and had reportedly been engaged in security discussions regarding potential threats in the months preceding the attack. According to reports from early 2026, Harris had delivered repeated warnings to Iraqi officials concerning the safety of diplomatic personnel. Iraqi security forces have established a perimeter around the embassy to conduct a forensic investigation into the debris and determine the exact launch points of the projectiles. The U.S. State Department has not yet released a formal assessment of the damage or a definitive attribution for the strike.