Baghdad’s 14th of July Bridge closed as pro-Iran protesters gather near US Embassy

BAGHDAD — Authorities temporarily closed the 14th of July Bridge in central Baghdad on Saturday as demonstrators gathered in solidarity with Iran following U.S.-Israeli strikes, security officials said.

The bridge is the closest crossing to the U.S. Embassy inside the Green Zone. The Interior Ministry confirmed the closure to vehicle traffic and urged residents to use al-Jumhuriya Bridge as an alternative.

The closure comes as tensions across Iraq escalate. Airstrikes hit Jurf al-Nasr in Babil twice on Saturday, killing two people and wounding three in the first strike, with a second round reported in the evening. Missiles and drones targeting sites near Erbil International Airport were intercepted by U.S. air defense systems. Authorities denied reports of additional strikes in Maysan and Taji, calling the claims inaccurate.

Iraq has closed its airspace and several armed factions have warned of imminent attacks on U.S. bases.