The United States is evacuating non-essential staff and their families from its embassy in Baghdad due to growing security concerns amid rising tensions with Iran. Although no official reason was cited, the move comes amid fears of a potential Israeli military operation against Iran and possible retaliation on American interests in Iraq.
Officials believe that certain US locations in the region could be at risk, especially as diplomatic talks over Iran’s nuclear program appear to have stalled. Discussions between US and Iranian officials are still expected to go ahead, but the atmosphere remains tense.
A US official noted that embassy staffing is regularly reviewed, and the decision was based on recent assessments of the security situation.
President Donald Trump, addressing the matter, warned that the region could become dangerous and reiterated his firm stance against Iran acquiring nuclear weapons. Reports also suggest a strained conversation recently took place between Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has long favored a military solution to the Iran issue.
The International Atomic Energy Agency is preparing to review Iran’s nuclear activities, following a report highlighting unsatisfactory cooperation from Tehran. Iran rejected the claims, saying the information was based on falsified documents.
Iran’s defense minister has stated that the country will strike back at US bases in the region if diplomacy fails and military action is taken. In response to rising tensions, US military families across several Middle Eastern nations, including Kuwait and Bahrain, have been cleared for voluntary departure.
The situation has already affected oil markets, with prices jumping over 4% due to concerns about regional instability. Currently, around 2,500 US troops remain stationed in Iraq. Tensions between the US and Iran have flared before — notably in 2020, when Iran launched missile strikes on American bases in Iraq following the killing of General Qasem Soleimani.
