Rockets and at least five drones were ​launched at the U.S. embassy in Baghdad ‌early on Tuesday from areas around the city, Iraqi security sources said, describing the attack as the most intense since ​the start of the US-Israel war with ​Iran.

A Reuters witness saw at least three drones ⁠heading in the direction of the embassy.

The ​C-RAM air defence system shot down two of them ​while a third struck inside the embassy compound, from which fire and smoke could be seen rising, the witness said.

An ​explosion was heard in the Iraqi capital, another ​Reuters witness said.

US embassy mobile phones were switched off when Reuters ‌called ⁠seeking comment.

Iranian-backed militias have been attacking US interests in Iraq in retaliation for the war, which began on February 28.

On Monday, Iran-aligned group Kataib Hezbollah announced ​the death ​of its ⁠senior commander and spokesperson, and Popular Mobilisation Forces said air strikes killed at ​least eight of its fighters in the ​Iraqi ⁠town of al-Qaim near Syria.

Iraqi security forces have been deployed across parts of the capital and closed Baghdad’s ⁠fortified ​Green Zone, which houses government buildings ​and diplomatic missions, including the US embassy.