The United States has initiated a partial evacuation of its embassy in Baghdad, ordering non-essential personnel and their families to leave Iraq due to escalating security concerns, according to government sources.
While officials did not specify the exact trigger for the evacuation, CBS, the BBC’s U.S. partner, reported that Israel is preparing for a potential military operation against Iran. This development has raised fears of Iranian retaliation targeting U.S. facilities in Iraq, prompting the advisory for some Americans to exit the region.
The move coincides with a stall in U.S.-Iran nuclear negotiations. Despite the deadlock, U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff is scheduled to meet Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Muscat on Sunday to discuss Iran’s nuclear program, according to Axios.
A State Department official told the BBC, “We continuously evaluate staffing levels at our embassies. Following our latest assessment, we opted to reduce our presence in Iraq.”
Addressing reporters at the Kennedy Center, President Donald Trump explained that Americans were urged to leave the region “because it could become hazardous, and we’ll see how things unfold.” He reaffirmed the U.S. stance against Iran acquiring nuclear weapons, stating, “We won’t let that happen.” Trump has been pushing for a diplomatic agreement to halt Tehran’s nuclear ambitions.
Earlier this week, Trump held a tense 40-minute phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who favors military action over diplomacy, sources said.
On Monday, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will convene in Vienna to review Iran’s nuclear activities. A recent IAEA report criticized Tehran’s “less than satisfactory” cooperation, particularly regarding unexplained nuclear material at undeclared sites. Iran dismissed the report as biased, claiming it relied on “forged documents” supplied by Israel.
Iranian Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh warned that Tehran would strike U.S. bases in the region if nuclear talks collapse and Trump authorizes military action. Meanwhile, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has approved the voluntary departure of American military families from several Middle Eastern countries, including Kuwait and Bahrain, Reuters reported.
During a congressional hearing on Wednesday, the Pentagon noted “clear signs” that Iran is advancing toward nuclear weapon capabilities. Iran maintains its uranium enrichment is solely for civilian energy purposes and denies pursuing a nuclear bomb.
The UK’s Maritime Trade Operations, part of the Royal Navy, cautioned on Wednesday that heightened military tensions could disrupt Middle Eastern shipping routes. Oil prices surged over 4% following news of the evacuation, reflecting fears of potential supply disruptions.
Approximately 2,500 U.S. troops remain stationed in Iraq, per the Defense Department.
Source: BBC
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