The United States has confirmed that it is considering withdrawing some of its embassy staff in Iraq.
Reuters reported on the 11th (local time) that, citing officials from the U.S. and Iraq, as security-related threats in the Middle East have increased, "the State Department is planning a systematic withdrawal from the embassy located in the Iraqi capital of Baghdad," and that "withdrawal will proceed through normal routes, but U.S. military support will be available if necessary."
White House Spokesperson Annie Kelly explained to Reuters that "the State Department regularly reviews U.S. employees stationed abroad, and this decision came from recent reviews."
A separate White House official also stated that President Donald Trump is aware of this action.
An official from the Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs also reported that the withdrawal of some U.S. embassy staff in Iraq has been confirmed due to potential security concerns related to rising tensions in the region.
The United States is currently engaged in nuclear negotiations with Iran. While several rounds of talks have taken place, they remain difficult. In particular, as the sixth meeting mediated by Oman shows signs of breakdown, fears have increased that the U.S. and Israel may confront Iran and its pro-Iranian armed groups.
Reuters analyzed that "the withdrawal measures were taken as tensions in the Middle East escalated 18 months after the outbreak of war in Gaza."
President Trump has repeatedly warned that he would strike Iran if there is no progress in negotiations surrounding Iran's nuclear program. He also noted that "the confidence that Iran will agree to halt uranium enrichment, which is a core U.S. demand, is diminishing."
Iranian Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh stated that, if negotiations with the United States break down and they are forced to confront, "the damage to the other side will be much greater than ours," and that "the United States should withdraw from the region," indicating threats to strike all U.S. military bases within the Middle East directly.
Iraq is maintaining cooperation with both the United States and Iran, which is rare in the Middle East. With 2,500 U.S. troops stationed, pro-Iranian armed groups connected to Iraqi security forces are also active.
The United States is currently deploying troops in Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the Middle East.