Partial Evacuation of US Embassy in Baghdad Approved

The State Department has given the green light for a partial evacuation of the US embassy in Baghdad, allowing military dependents to exit various locations in the Middle East, as reported by US and Iraqi sources on Wednesday.

While Reuters did not clarify specific threats, officials indicated that the decision arose due to “increasing security risks.” Tensions in the region have been heightened, particularly between Iran and Israel, following Israel’s assertion that its forces may strike Iran if ongoing nuclear discussions do not yield results.

“The State Department routinely assesses American personnel stationed abroad, and this decision is a result of our recent evaluation,” said White House spokesperson Anna Kelly.

Iran’s Minister of Defense, Aziz Nasirzadeh, stated that Iran could potentially respond against US bases in the Middle East, particularly if nuclear negotiations fail and a conflict arises involving the US.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegses has authorized voluntary departures for military dependents at US bases in the region, with many of those affected based in Bahrain. The US military has a presence not only in Iraq but also in Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates.

A spokesperson from the State Department emphasized that “President Trump is dedicated to ensuring the safety of Americans, both domestically and internationally.” They noted that the department continuously evaluates the operational posture of all embassies and that this decision aligns with their latest assessment in Iraq.

As of now, neither the Pentagon nor the White House has responded to inquiries regarding this decision.