In surprise Iraq visit\, Pompeo warns of Iran activity

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo made a surprise visit to Iraq on Tuesday seeking support after the Trump administration accused Iran of posing a credible threat to U.S. forces in the region.

Pompeo said Iran was escalating its activity, and that he wanted to reassure Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi that the U.S. was ready to protect his country's sovereignty.

Citing U.S. officials, CNN on Tuesday reported that the apparent threat included the movement of short-range ballistic missiles by Iran aboard boats in the Persian Gulf.

The New York Times had earlier reported the threat was aimed against U.S. troops in Iraq, where Iranian proxy groups also operate in some areas.

Pompeo's impromptu visit - which forced him to cancel a meeting with German chancellor Angela Merkel - came after the U.S. said it was sending a carrier strike force and a group of four B-52 bombers to the region.

Iran's top security body dismissed the U.S. plan to send forces to the region as "psychological warfare."