WASHINGTON, Sept 29, 2018 (MENA) - US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo ordered the evacuation of US diplomats stationed at the US Consulate in the Iraqi city of Basra, citing "threats to our personnel and facilities" from Iran and its proxies, The Washington Post reported. The closure of the consulate, one of three US posts in the country, follows at least two rocket attacks apparently targeting the US Embassy in Baghdad and the mission in Basra this month. While the rockets landed harmlessly, away from the facilities, they underscored heightening tensions between Washington and Tehran as Iraq tries to form a new government. All week, US officials have issued increasingly ominous warnings to Iran that the United States will respond aggressively to any perceived threats to its interests in the Middle East. In a speech Tuesday, national security adviser John Bolton promised there would be "hell to pay" if Iran continues to "cross" the United States or its allies. The saber rattling comes as the US Treasury Department prepares to implement a new round of economic sanctions in November targeting Iran's oil sector.