US reportedly preparing to evacuate Iraq embassy non-essential staff amid regional chaos

(Daily Caller News Foundation) – The U.S. State Department is preparing to evacuate all nonessential personnel from the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad due to escalating tensions in the Middle East.

The State Department is giving Similar authorizations for staff and families in Bahrain and Kuwait, indicating concern that regional unrest could spread according to the Associated Press.

The Pentagon is standing by, to assist with evacuations if the situation worsens, according to the Associated Press they reported, “a shift in U.S. posture amid rising threats from Iran.” At the heart of the crisis is the breakdown in “nuclear talks between the U.S. and Iran.”

As negotiations have stalled, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is considering a vote to censure Iran, which could “trigger” the reimposition of U.N. sanctions under the terms of the 2015 nuclear deal. According to the AP, the Iran leaders responded by issuing direct warning, with the defense minister declaring that all U.S. bases in the region are “within reach” and would be targeted if conflict erupts.

According to the U.S. News, while the Baghdad embassy had already been operating with reduced staffing, “the new departure order and military preparedness underscore heightened fears of instability.” The move also extends beyond Iraq, as the State Department has offered voluntary departure options to Americans stationed in Kuwait and Bahrain, further demonstrating how widespread the perceived threat has become.

Iran, meanwhile, denies seeking nuclear weapons and accuses the “U.S. of fueling instability through militarism”. Its aggressive rhetoric and readiness for confrontation are raising alarms throughout the region and among Western allies according to Kurdistan 24.