The United States is preparing to partially evacuate its embassy in Iraq due to escalating tensions with Iran, according to reports from multiple news outlets on Wednesday. Non-essential U.S. staff members at the Baghdad embassy will be withdrawn, as confirmed by the State Department to The Associated Press. Reuters cited both U.S. and Iraqi sources who acknowledged the news without disclosing the specific security risks that led to this decision. However, the State Department’s statement to the New York Times indicated a reduction in diplomatic presence but did not specify how many officials would depart the country.
The State Department is also allowing non-essential personnel and their families to leave Bahrain and Kuwait, as per AP. These actions come against the backdrop of stalled negotiations over a potential nuclear agreement between the U.S. and Iran. In a recent podcast, President Trump expressed diminishing confidence in the possibility of securing a deal that would limit Iran’s nuclear capabilities. Trump has previously threatened military action against Iran if talks regarding its nuclear program fail, to which Iranian Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh responded that Iran would retaliate against U.S. military bases in the region in case of escalating conflict.
Concerns over the situation led a U.K. maritime trade agency to issue a public advisory cautioning commercial vessels about the potential for increased military activity in the area, which could impact mariners directly.
Source: https://time.com/7293392/us-embassy-iraq-iran/
