BAGHDAD, March 12, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - The US embassy in Baghdad warned on Wednesday that Iran and Tehran-backed Iraqi armed groups might target US-owned oil facilities in Iraq.

Several oil fields and facilities in Iraq have been hit by drones since the Middle East war began on February 28.

"Iran and Iran-aligned terrorist militias may be planning to target US-owned oil and energy infrastructure in Iraq," the embassy said on X.

Iraq's oil ministry spokesperson Saheb Bazoun told AFP on Tuesday that many foreign company employees have left the country since the start of the war.

Authorities in oil-rich Iraq have been working to attract foreign investment, notably from US companies, across various sectors of the economy.

Last month, Iraq and US energy giant Chevron signed deals to manage and develop several oil fields, mostly in the country's south.

Iraq is a founding member of the OPEC cartel, and crude oil sales make up 90 percent of the country's budget revenues.

The US embassy statement is the latest in a series of security alerts it has issued since the start of the war.

It warned again of possible attacks on hotels frequented by Americans across Iraq.