Citing increased friction between the United States and Iran, U.S. officials have announced plans for a partial evacuation of the American embassy in Iraq, according to numerous reports Wednesday.
The State Department communicated that non-essential U.S. personnel will be withdrawn from the embassy in Baghdad.
reported that the information was verified by four unnamed U.S. sources and two Iraqi sources. The reasons for the evacuation were not disclosed by the sources. The State Department acknowledged to the a reduction in diplomatic staff in Iraq, but did not specify the number of personnel affected.
The Associated Press reported that the State Department is permitting non-essential staff and their families to leave Bahrain and Kuwait.
This decision follows rising tensions between the U.S. and Iran, with nuclear deal negotiations seemingly stalled. President Donald Trump expressed in a released Wednesday that he is becoming “less confident” about achieving a nuclear agreement with Iran to curb its nuclear weapons development.
Trump has the possibility of military action against Iran if nuclear talks fail. Iranian Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh stated Wednesday that Iran would target U.S. military bases in the region should negotiations collapse and conflict intensify.
A U.K. maritime agency issued a public advisory on Wednesday, urging caution to commercial ships in the region. The agency noted “increased tensions within the region which could lead to an escalation of military activity having a direct impact on mariners.”
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