By Kingsley 
U.S. to Partially Evacuate Iraq Embassy as Tensions With Iran Rise
Jun 12, 2025
By Chantelle Lee
The U.S. plans to partially evacuate its embassy in Iraq amid rising tensions between the U.S. and Iran, officials told multiple media outlets on Wednesday.
U.S. staffers who are deemed nonessential will be removed from the embassy in Baghdad, the State Department told The Associated Press. Reuters reported that four U.S. and two Iraqi unnamed sources confirmed the news, but the sources didn’t share what security risks prompted the move.
In a statement to the New York Times, the State Department said it had decided to reduce its diplomatic presence in Iraq, but didn’t specify how many officials would be removed.
The AP also reported that the State Department is authorizing nonessential staffers and their families to depart Bahrain and Kuwait as well.
The decision comes amid heightened tensions between the U.S. and Iran, as negotiations over a potential nuclear deal appear to have stalled. In a podcast released Wednesday, President Donald Trump said he is growing “less confident” about reaching an agreement with Iran to limit its nuclear weapons capabilities.
Trump has previously threatened to bomb Iran if negotiations fail. On Wednesday, Iranian Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh stated that Iran would strike U.S. military bases in the region if conflict escalates.
A U.K. maritime trade agency issued a public advisory Wednesday, warning commercial vessels of increased regional tensions that could lead to military activity affecting mariners.