While a large part of the army in Iraq is gathered in Samara, north of Baghdad, in order to launch the operation to regain Tikrit occupied by Islamist insurgents, the U.S. government states that it will not “provide any assistance if a new government is not set up as soon possible”.

However, the aircraft USS George HW Bush is already in the area, so as to provide “additional flexibility” in case “military measures are required to safeguard the American citizens or our interests in Iraq” said Pentagon spokesman John Kirby.

However, Iran opposes to “any foreign military intervention in Iraq,”.

The Iraqi forces prepare to counter attack and have already reinforced their defence in Baghdad after the attack unleashed early last week by the rebels of the Islamic State in Iraq and Levant.

Tehran declared that is ready to help Baghdad to face the Islamists but without intervening with troops, while the Iraqi authorities have repeatedly denied reports according to which there are Iranian troops in the country.