The United States is taking urgent steps to reduce its diplomatic and military presence in parts of the Middle East region as tensions continue to mount, with officials citing increasing security risks.
"Based on our latest analysis, we have decided to reduce the footprint of our mission in Iraq," an anonymous U.S. official told AFP.
A State Department official, also speaking on condition of anonymity, made a similar statement, emphasizing that President Donald Trump was "determined to ensure the safety of Americans, both in the country and abroad."
"In line with this commitment, we are continuously evaluating" the staffing of U.S. embassies, the official explained.
The announcement comes after Iran warned on Wednesday that it would target U.S. military bases in the Middle East if a conflict with the U.S. were to occur.
In response, President Donald Trump expressed being "less confident" about the possibility of reaching an agreement with Tehran to limit its nuclear program.
In Baghdad, a senior Iraqi security official confirmed to AFP that there would be "a withdrawal of non-essential personnel" from the U.S. embassy.
"We will work to prevent any attack on the American embassy," the official, speaking anonymously, added, noting "contacts" with Iran-aligned armed groups "to convince them not to shoot or target" the diplomatic mission.
In the fall of 2023, amidst the Gaza war, dozens of rocket and drone attacks claimed by these Iran-aligned groups targeted U.S. soldiers deployed in Iraq and Syria as part of an international anti-jihadist coalition.
"This is not a total evacuation," a second Iraqi security official assured AFP, referring to "preventive security measures... in case the negotiations between Washington and Tehran fail."
Despite recurring tensions since October 2023, the Gaza war and its repercussions throughout the Middle East, Iraq has managed to maintain relative stability, staying out of the conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Hamas, as well as Hezbollah.
Simultaneously, the U.S. State Department has authorized the departure of non-essential personnel from U.S. embassies in Bahrain, the Associated Press reported. The decision is seen as a precautionary measure in light of escalating regional instability, though core operations remain functional for now.
When contacted by AFP, the U.S. Embassy in Kuwait stated that it had not "modified its staffing" and remained "fully operational."
AFP
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