Biden spokesman apologizes for falsely claiming US gave Iraq heads up about airstrikes
NY Post
WASHINGTON — In an unusual moment for a White House spokesman, John Kirby of the National Security Council repeatedly apologized Tuesday for falsely saying that the US government had given Iraq advance notice of airstrikes Friday against Iran-backed groups.
Washington did not give Baghdad the early warning, though Kirby had said the opposite on a press call shortly after the strikes in retaliation for the killing of three US troops in Jordan Jan. 28.
“I deeply apologize for the error and I regret any confusion that it caused,” Kirby told reporters at the start of a virtual gaggle that largely focused on other topics, such as US aid to Ukraine.
“It was based on information we had, or that a witness provided to me, in those early hours after the strikes. It turns out that information was incorrect and I certainly regret the error,” Kirby went on.
“And I hope that you’ll understand there was no ill intent behind it — no deliberate intent to deceive or to be wrong. I take those responsibilities very, very seriously. And I deeply regret the mistake that I made.”
Kirby then ended the gaggle by saying: “I want to foot-stomp my apology at the top.
