Baghdad Is Safe, Insists Iraq General

Earlier this week, Sunni militants aligned with al-Qaeda captured so much of Iraq so quickly that they seemed poised to roll into Baghdad, too. But the movement seems to have stalled about 60 miles to the north, reports the New York Times. The Iraqi army has actually won back some territory earlier claimed by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, Gen. Major-General Qassim al-Moussawi tells Reuters. And another general declares that "the security in Baghdad is 100% stable."

Other developments:

• Volunteers: Hundreds of young volunteers in Baghdad have heeded a call from Iraq's top Shiite cleric to take up arms, reports AP. "By God's will, we will be victorious," says one. "We will not be stopped by the ISIL or any other terrorists."
• Iran: President Hassan Rouhani says Iran is "ready to help Iraq" as soon as Iraqi authorities request it, reports the Washington Post.
• US military: The Pentagon ordered an aircraft carrier to the Persian Gulf to give President Obama more options as he weighs an American response, reports al.com.

(More Iraq stories.)