Win McNamee via Getty Images
［ワシントン １６日 ロイター］ - ケリー米国務長官は１６日、イラクで勢力を拡大するイスラム教スンニ派の過激派組織に関し、イラク政府を支援するため空爆を選択肢として検討していると表明した。
ケリー氏はヤフーニュースとのインタビューで空爆の可能性について聞かれ、「それがすべての答えではないが、重要な選択肢の１つだろう」と述べた。
「大量の殺人や暗殺を行う人々がいるのならば、それを止めなくてはならない。空から、あるいは別の方法で止める必要があるのならば、必要なことをするまでだ」と付け加えた。
また、シーア派中心のイラク政府がスンニ派に対抗するのを支援するため、米国は隣国イランと「協議の用意がある」との姿勢を示した。
イランはイスラム教シーア派が大半を占めており、イスラム教の中でもイラクのマリキ政権と派を同じくする。
ケリー長官は「イランがイラクの一体性と国家主権を尊重しながら行動する用意があり、建設的な貢献ができるなら、米国は（イランと協議する）可能性を排除しない」と述べた。
これに先立ち、米政府高官はイラク問題をめぐり、米政府がイランと協議を行う可能性があると述べていた。
また長官は、イラクを中東における戦略的パートナーとし、米国は「国家としてのイラクの一体性に深くコミットしている」と言明した。
一方で、マリキ政権に関しては、宗派対立を乗り越え連携するよう注文をつけたが、マリキ首相の進退についてはイラク国民が決定することだとして、辞任は求めなかった。
米政府はイラクの首都バグダッドの米大使館の警備を強化するとともに、一部職員を退避させている。
ケリー長官は、少なくとも目先、スンニ派の過激派組織がバグダッドを掌握できるとは思わないとしながらも、「今後数日以内の（米国やイラク政府などの）決定が左右する」と述べた。
関連記事
緊張が高まるイラク
緊張が高まるイラク(01 of32)
イスラム過激派「イラク・レバントのイスラム国（ＩＳＩＬ）」に襲われたイラク北部モスル［携帯電話で撮影した画像より］ (credit:AFP＝時事)
緊張が高まるイラク(02 of32)
イスラム過激派「イラク・レバントのイスラム国（ＩＳＩＬ）」による攻撃を逃れ、イラク北部クルド人自治区に入ろうとする避難民の車（イラク） (credit:AFP＝時事)
緊張が高まるイラク(03 of32)
イラク北部モスルで、炎上する治安部隊の車両［携帯電話で撮影された画像より］ (credit:AFP＝時事)
緊張が高まるイラク(04 of32)
イスラム過激派が攻め込んだイラク北部モスルの路上に残された治安部隊員の服や装備品（イラク・モスル） (credit:AFP＝時事)
緊張が高まるイラク(05 of32)
Iraqis who fled the violence in Mosul stand in a queue at a checkpoint in Erbil, Kurdistan region, north Iraq, 11 June 2014. Relative calm prevailed in the northern city of Mosul two days after fighters from the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) captured it from government troops. The al-Qaeda splinter group\'s control of Mosul has triggered a mass exodus from the city. EPA/KAMAL AKRAYI (credit:EPA＝時事)
緊張が高まるイラク(06 of32)
Iraqis who fled the violence in Mosul wait at a checkpoint in Erbil, Kurdistan region, north Iraq, 11 June 2014. Relative calm prevailed in the northern city of Mosul two days after fighters from the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) captured it from government troops. The al-Qaeda splinter group\'s control of Mosul has triggered a mass exodus from the city. EPA/KAMAL AKRAYI (credit:EPA＝時事)
緊張が高まるイラク(07 of32)
Iraqis who fled the violence in Mosul arrive at a checkpoint in Erbil, Kurdistan region, north Iraq, 11 June 2014. Relative calm prevailed in the northern city of Mosul two days after fighters from the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) captured it from government troops. The al-Qaeda splinter group\'s control of Mosul has triggered a mass exodus from the city. EPA/KAMAL AKRAYI (credit:EPA＝時事)
緊張が高まるイラク(08 of32)
Soldiers search Iraqis who fled the violence in Mosul upon their arrival at a checkpoint in Erbil, Kurdistan region, north Iraq, 11 June 2014. Relative calm prevailed in the northern city of Mosul two days after fighters from the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) captured it from government troops. The al-Qaeda splinter group\'s control of Mosul has triggered a mass exodus from the city. EPA/KAMAL AKRAYI (credit:EPA＝時事)
緊張が高まるイラク(09 of32)
Soldiers check Iraqis who fled the violence in Mosul upon their arrival at a checkpoint in Erbil, Kurdistan region, north Iraq, 11 June 2014. Relative calm prevailed in the northern city of Mosul two days after fighters from the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) captured it from government troops. The al-Qaeda splinter group\'s control of Mosul has triggered a mass exodus from the city. EPA/KAMAL AKRAYI (credit:EPA＝時事)
緊張が高まるイラク(10 of32)
Iraqis who fled the violence in Mosul wait at a checkpoint in Erbil, Kurdistan region, north Iraq, 11 June 2014. Relative calm prevailed in the northern city of Mosul two days after fighters from the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) captured it from government troops. The al-Qaeda splinter group\'s control of Mosul has triggered a mass exodus from the city. EPA/KAMAL AKRAYI (credit:EPA＝時事)
緊張が高まるイラク(11 of32)
Iraqi Red Crescent staff members set up tents for fleeing Iraqis in Erbil, Kurdistan region, north Iraq, 11 June 2014. Relative calm prevailed in the northern city of Mosul two days after fighters from the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) captured it from government troops. The al-Qaeda splinter group\'s control of Mosul has triggered a mass exodus from the city. EPA/KAMAL AKRAYI (credit:EPA＝時事)
緊張が高まるイラク(12 of32)
Iraqis who fled the violence in Mosul stand in a queue at a checkpoint in Erbil, Kurdistan region, north Iraq, 11 June 2014. Relative calm prevailed in the northern city of Mosul two days after fighters from the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) captured it from government troops. The al-Qaeda splinter group\'s control of Mosul has triggered a mass exodus from the city. EPA/KAMAL AKRAYI (credit:EPA＝時事)
緊張が高まるイラク(13 of32)
An Iraqi girl stands next to tents erected by Red Crescent staff members for fleeing Iraqis in Erbil, Kurdistan region, north Iraq, 11 June 2014. Relative calm prevailed in the northern city of Mosul two days after fighters from the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) captured it from government troops. The al-Qaeda splinter group\'s control of Mosul has triggered a mass exodus from the city. EPA/KAMAL AKRAYI (credit:EPA＝時事)
緊張が高まるイラク(14 of32)
Iraqi displaced families queue at a checkpoint in Erbil, Kurdistan region, north Iraq, 11 June 2014. Relative calm prevailed in the northern city of Mosul two days after fighters from the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) captured it from government troops. The al-Qaeda splinter group\'s control of Mosul has triggered a mass exodus from the city. EPA/KAMAL AKRAYI (credit:EPA＝時事)
緊張が高まるイラク(15 of32)
Iraqis who fled the violence in Mosul queue at a checkpoint in Erbil, Kurdistan region, north Iraq, 11 June 2014. Relative calm prevailed in the northern city of Mosul two days after fighters from the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) captured it from government troops. The al-Qaeda splinter group\'s control of Mosul has triggered a mass exodus from the city. EPA/KAMAL AKRAYI (credit:EPA＝時事)
緊張が高まるイラク(16 of32)
１１日、イラク北部のクルド人自治区アルビルで、戦闘の激しい北部モスルから逃れてきた車椅子の女性。 (credit:EPA＝時事)
緊張が高まるイラク(17 of32)
Iraqi soldiers leave a military base as Kurdish forces take control over many areas in Kirkuk on 11 June 2014. Iraqi Kurdish forces have moved into the contested northern city of Kirkuk, some 160 kilometres south-west of Mosul, to defend it against advancing jihadist fighters, security sources say. Thousands of Iraqi army and police troops have also deployed to protect Kirkuk province vital oil fields, the sources add. EPA/KHALIL AL-A\'NEI (credit:EPA＝時事)
緊張が高まるイラク(18 of32)
Iraqi soldiers leave a military base as Kurdish forces take control over many areas in Kirkuk on 11 June 2014. Iraqi Kurdish forces have moved into the contested northern city of Kirkuk, some 160 kilometres south-west of Mosul, to defend it against advancing jihadist fighters, security sources say. Thousands of Iraqi army and police troops have also deployed to protect Kirkuk province vital oil fields, the sources add. EPA/KHALIL AL-A\'NEI (credit:EPA＝時事)
緊張が高まるイラク(19 of32)
Iraqi soldiers leave a military base as Kurdish forces take control over many areas in Kirkuk on 11 June 2014. Iraqi Kurdish forces have moved into the contested northern city of Kirkuk, some 160 kilometres south-west of Mosul, to defend it against advancing jihadist fighters, security sources say. Thousands of Iraqi army and police troops have also deployed to protect Kirkuk province vital oil fields, the sources add. EPA/KHALIL AL-A\'NEI (credit:EPA＝時事)
緊張が高まるイラク(20 of32)
Iraqis queue at a checkpoint in Erbil, Kurdistan region, north Iraq, 11 June 2014. Relative calm prevailed in the northern city of Mosul two days after fighters from the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) captured it from government troops. The al-Qaeda splinter group\'s control of Mosul has triggered a mass exodus from the city. EPA/KAMAL AKRAYI (credit:EPA＝時事)
緊張が高まるイラク(21 of32)
Iraqi soldiers leave a military base as Kurdish forces take control over many areas in Kirkuk on 11 June 2014. Iraqi Kurdish forces have moved into the contested northern city of Kirkuk, some 160 kilometres south-west of Mosul, to defend it against advancing jihadist fighters, security sources say. Thousands of Iraqi army and police troops have also deployed to protect Kirkuk province vital oil fields, the sources add. EPA/KHALIL AL-A\'NEI (credit:EPA＝時事)
緊張が高まるイラク(22 of32)
１１日、イラク北部のクルド人自治区アルビルに設けられた検問所に逃れてきた女性ら。 (credit:EPA＝時事)
緊張が高まるイラク(23 of32)
Iraqis arrive at a checkpoint in Erbil, Kurdistan region, north Iraq, 11 June 2014. Relative calm prevailed in the northern city of Mosul two days after fighters from the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) captured it from government troops. The al-Qaeda splinter group\'s control of Mosul has triggered a mass exodus from the city. EPA/KAMAL AKRAYI (credit:EPA＝時事)
緊張が高まるイラク(24 of32)
１１日、イラク北部ティクリートで炎上する警察車両。 (credit:EPA＝時事)
緊張が高まるイラク(25 of32)
Iraqi boys ride an armored military vehicle at a street in Tikrit, northern Iraq, 11 June 2014. There were conflicting claims as to the fate of Salah al-Din\'s provincial capital Tikrit, with state television quoting security officials as saying they had retaken it from militants of the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). Iraq\'s air force went into action against militants who have seized a swathe of the north including the country\'s second largest city Mosul, state television reported. (credit:EPA＝時事)
緊張が高まるイラク(26 of32)
Iraqi Sunni gunmen at a street in Tikrit, northern Iraq,11 June 2014. There were conflicting claims as to the fate of Salah al-Din\'s provincial capital Tikrit, with state television quoting security officials as saying they had retaken it from militants of the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). Iraq\'s air force went into action against militants who have seized a swathe of the north including the country\'s second largest city Mosul, state television reported. Alsumaria television earlier reported that ISIL had seized the city, 170 kilometres north of Baghdad. EPA/STR BEST QUALTY AVAILABLE (credit:EPA＝時事)
緊張が高まるイラク(27 of32)
Iraqi boys ride an armored military vehicle at a street in Tikrit, northern Iraq, 11 June 2014. There were conflicting claims as to the fate of Salah al-Din\'s provincial capital Tikrit, with state television quoting security officials as saying they had retaken it from militants of the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). Iraq\'s air force went into action against militants who have seized a swathe of the north including the country\'s second largest city Mosul, state television reported. (credit:EPA＝時事)
緊張が高まるイラク(28 of32)
Iraqi Sunni gunmen drive in a pickup truck on a street in Tikrit, northern Iraq, 11 June 2014. There were conflicting claims as to the fate of Salah al-Din\'s provincial capital Tikrit, with state television quoting security officials as saying they had retaken it from militants of the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). Iraq\'s air force went into action against militants who have seized a swathe of the north including the country\'s second largest city Mosul, state television reported. Alsumaria television earlier reported that ISIL had seized the city, 170 kilometres north of Baghdad. EPA/STR BEST QUALTY AVAILABLE (credit:EPA＝時事)
緊張が高まるイラク(29 of32)
Iraqis inspect the site of a suicide bomb attack that targeted a funeral tent in the Sadr city district in Baghdad, Iraq, 11 June 2014. At least 21 people were killed and dozens others injured when a suicide bomber blow himself up inside a funeral tent in Sadr city, police said. EPA/AHMED ALI (credit:EPA＝時事)
緊張が高まるイラク(30 of32)
Smoke billows from the site of a car bomb explosion in Khadiyah, northern Baghdad, Iraq, 11 June 2014. At least 19 people were reported killed and dozens others wounded when a car bomb exploded inside a security checkpoint in Khadiyah city, police said. EPA/AHMED ALI BEST QUALITY AVAILABLE (credit:EPA＝時事)
緊張が高まるイラク(31 of32)
Iraqis inspect damage near the site of a suicide bomb attack that targeted a funeral tent in the Sadr city district in Baghdad, Iraq, 11 June 2014. At least 21 people were killed and dozens others injured when a suicide bomber blow himself up inside a funeral tent in Sadr city, police said. EPA/AHMED ALI (credit:EPA＝時事)
緊張が高まるイラク(32 of32)
Iraqis who fled the violence in Mosul stand in a queue at a checkpoint in Erbil, Kurdistan region, north Iraq, 11 June 2014. Relative calm prevailed in the northern city of Mosul two days after fighters from the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) captured it from government troops. The al-Qaeda splinter group\'s control of Mosul has triggered a mass exodus from the city. EPA/KAMAL AKRAYI (credit:EPA＝時事)