Esper cites US ‘right of self-defense’ in Iraq baselessly blames Iran for insecurity

 "We need their help in terms of getting the security situation under control and stabilized, but we also still retain our right of self-defense and we will exercise it," Esper told reporters after a trip to Europe Monday. Without offering any evidence, the US military chief parroted earlier remarks by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, pointing the finger at Iran.   "My suspicion would be that Iran is behind these attacks, much like they are behind a lot of malign behavior throughout the region, but it is hard to pin down," he claimed. The US defense secretary made the allegations after he spoke with Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi amid protests in the country. The Iraqi premier has previously called for efforts to “prevent an escalation that will threaten all parties."           The US, backed by Britain, invaded Iraq in 2003 under the pretext that the former regime of Saddam Hussein possessed weapons of mass destruction. No such weapons, however, were ever found in the country. The invasion, however, has led to years of insecurity and militancy in Iraq. On Saturday, thousands of Iraqis took to the streets of Baghdad to protest the sanctions and Washington's interference in their country's internal affairs.