WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The White House national security team asked the Pentagon last September to provide options to attack Iran after the militants fired three missiles at the Green Zone in Baghdad, where the US embassy is located, the Wall Street Journal reported.
The request by the US president's national security team led by John Bolton raised deep concern among Pentagon and State Department officials, the paper said on Sunday, quoting current and former officials.
The Pentagon responded to the council's request, but it was not clear whether options for bombing Iran were also submitted to the White House, or that President Donald Trump knew of them.
Washington attributed the bombing of the Green Zone last fall - which did not cause casualties or damage - to pro-Iranian militias.
Strict attitude
Bolton's request for options to bomb Iran reflects a tougher approach to Tehran that the Trump administration has pursued since Bolton took over as US national security adviser in April, a conservative figure long known for her tough line toward the Iranian leadership.
Two days later, unknown gunmen fired three missiles at an area near the US consulate in the southern Iraqi city of Basra, causing no major damage.
The US State Department did not comment on the report, and Minister Mike Pompeo declined to comment, but the Pentagon said it was providing President Trump with military options for all kinds of threats.
Spokesman Rob Manning said the Pentagon was offering the president plans to tackle all kinds of threats, including those posed by Iran, whether to deter or respond if necessary.
National Security Council spokesman Garrett Marquez said the council also presented the president with options on existing threats.