The United States has begun evacuating non-essential staff and family members from its embassy in Baghdad due to escalating security concerns, according to U.S. government sources.
While officials did not specify the exact reason for the withdrawal, CBS News—the BBC’s U.S. partner—reported that American authorities were informed of Israel’s readiness to conduct a military operation against Iran. This development reportedly influenced the U.S. decision to urge some citizens to depart the region, with officials warning that Iran might retaliate by targeting American facilities in Iraq.
The move comes as negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program have stalled in recent days. Despite the deadlock, U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff is scheduled to hold a sixth round of talks with Iranian officials, including Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, in Muscat on Sunday, as reported by Axios.
A State Department spokesperson stated, “We continuously evaluate the safety of our diplomatic personnel worldwide. Following a recent security assessment, we have chosen to reduce our embassy’s presence in Iraq.”
During a public appearance at the Kennedy Center, President Donald Trump addressed the situation, stating that Americans were advised to leave the region due to potential dangers. He reaffirmed the U.S. stance against Iran obtaining nuclear weapons, saying, “We will not permit that to happen.”
Trump expressed dwindling confidence in Iran’s willingness to halt uranium enrichment. His remarks followed a reportedly tense phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has consistently advocated for military action over diplomacy.
As nuclear negotiations reach a critical phase, it remains unclear whether the U.S. evacuation order is a strategic signal or a response to genuine threats. Iranian Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh warned that if talks collapse and the U.S. launches strikes, Iran would retaliate against American bases in the region.
Meanwhile, Reuters reported that U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth authorized the voluntary departure of military families from several Middle Eastern countries, including Kuwait and Bahrain.
During a congressional hearing, Pentagon officials cited “multiple signs” suggesting Iran is advancing toward nuclear weapons capability. Iran insists that it is just enriching uranium for benign energy uses.
In a similar incident, the UK’s Maritime Trade Operations warned that shipping routes may be impacted by the increased military tensions in the Middle East. Following the announcement of the U.S. evacuation, oil prices rose by more than 4%, indicating concerns that supply routes may be disrupted by regional unrest.
The Department of Defence estimates that about 2,500 American soldiers are still in Iraq.
