Iranian government-supported militia attacks over the past week on the U.S. Consulate in Basra, has forced the U.S. State Department to evacuate the facility.

Mike Pompeo, the U.S. Secretary of State issued a written statement indicating that “repeated incidents of indirect fire from elements of those militias” prompted the evacuation. He also warned Iran that the U.S. would hold the country responsible for harm to any Americans.

“[We have evacuated due to] increasing and specific threats and incitement to attack our personnel and facilities in Iraq. I have advised the Government of Iran that the United States will hold Iran directly responsible for any harm to Americans or to our diplomatic facilities in Iraq or elsewhere. I have made clear that Iran should understand that the United States will respond promptly and appropriately to any such attacks.”

Reuters reported that, on September 8, three rockets landed by the Basra airport perimeter. The consulate is located primarily inside the perimeter of the airport. Four days later, the United States called out the Iranian-supported militias for originating the assault, and matched the modus operandi of Baghdad Green Zone attacks during the Iraq war.

The consulate’s history dates back to 2011 and is one of three such outposts in Iraq. Only a few diplomats are part of the over 1,000 individuals who contract to the U.S. government to staff the consulate, according to the New York Times.

The Times also pointed out that the militia attacks were the last straw for Pompeo. The newspaper indicated that local grassroots protests had turned violent and created additional dangers when the Iranian consulate was set on fire. There had also been discussions regarding budget cuts that might lead to a permanent facility closure. The Times reported that the outpost costs the United States between $200 million and $350 million annually.

A previous State Department source, Andrew Miller, told the Times that the budget cuts that been discussed were due to the cost of security in the tempestuous region. At previous meetings, Miller indicated that David M. Satterfield, and Stuart E. Jones, the head of that department and the former ambassador to Iraq, respectively, wanted to shut down the outpost. Voting in favor of holding the station open was State Department official Thomas A. Shannon Jr.

Miller said, “From a purely informational perspective, closing it would be detrimental to U.S. interests and maintaining contact with people in the community there.”

The protests have been an ongoing concern throughout the summer, according to the Times. Basic infrastructure services have been failing, such as power and potable water. The BBC reports that protestors have been both wounded and killed.

Tensions between Washington and Iraq have been ramping up ever since President Trump took office. The President withdrew from the controversial nuclear agreement that had been previously negotiated under the administration of Barack Obama.