by Temitope Oladeji
13/6/2025
The United States is evacuating non-essential staff and their families from its embassy in Baghdad due to an escalating war between Israel and Iran, U.S. government sources have confirmed.
While officials did not provide a specific trigger for the decision, CBS News, citing U.S. sources, reported that intelligence suggests Israel may be preparing to launch a military operation against Iran.
The possible retaliation by Iran on American targets in Iraq is reportedly a key factor behind the evacuation order.
As a precaution, the U.S. has also imposed movement restrictions on its diplomatic staff within Israel, limiting the movements of its staff mainly around Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and Be’er Sheva, due to what the State Department described as “increased regional tensions.”
Talks between Washington and Tehran over Iran’s nuclear program have stalled in recent days, further contributing to the heightened state of alert.
Despite the growing tension, U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff is expected to proceed with scheduled talks on Sunday with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Muscat, Oman, according to Axios.
A U.S. State Department official revealed that the decision to reduce embassy staff was based on an ongoing assessment of risk:
“We are constantly evaluating the appropriate personnel posture at our embassies. Based on our latest analysis, we decided to reduce the footprint of our mission in Iraq.”
Speaking at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, President Donald Trump reiterated the need for Americans to leave parts of the Middle East due to the potential for danger. “Because it could be a dangerous place, and we’ll see what happens,” he said.
Trump reechoed the U.S. commitment to preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, declaring, “We’re not going to allow that.”
The President has long pushed for a diplomatic solution to the nuclear issue but has faced resistance from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who continues to advocate for a military approach.
The leaders of the two countries reportedly had a tense 40-minute phone conversation earlier this week.
Meanwhile, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) convened its Board of Governors in Vienna on Monday to review Iran’s nuclear activities.
The session followed the release of an IAEA report criticizing Tehran for insufficient cooperation, particularly over unexplained traces of nuclear material found at undeclared locations. Iran dismissed the findings as biased and based on what it called “forged documents” provided by Israel.
As diplomatic efforts teeter on the brink, Iran’s Defence Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh warned that U.S. bases in the region could be targeted if talks collapse and President Trump opts for military action.
In a further sign of mounting concern, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth approved the voluntary departure of military families from several Middle Eastern countries, including Kuwait and Bahrain, according to Reuters.
Testifying before Congress on Wednesday, Pentagon officials stated there were “plenty of indications” that Iran is moving closer to the capability to produce a nuclear weapon.
However, Tehran maintains that its uranium enrichment program is solely for peaceful, civilian energy purposes and denies pursuing a nuclear bomb.
The situation remains fluid, with regional stability hanging in the balance as diplomatic and military tensions intensify.