US Orders Baghdad Drawdown as Iran Warns of Retaliation for Potential Israeli Strike By The Media Line Staff The US State Department has ordered nonessential personnel to leave its embassy in Baghdad and authorized similar departures from diplomatic missions in Bahrain and Kuwait, as tensions rise over Iran’s nuclear program and threats of regional conflict […]
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The Media Line: US Orders Baghdad Drawdown as Iran Warns of Retaliation for Potential Israeli Strike
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US Orders Baghdad Drawdown as Iran Warns of Retaliation for Potential Israeli Strike
By The Media Line Staff
The US State Department has ordered nonessential personnel to leave its embassy in Baghdad and authorized similar departures from diplomatic missions in Bahrain and Kuwait, as tensions rise over Iran’s nuclear program and threats of regional conflict grow more acute.
While US and Iranian negotiators prepare for another round of nuclear talks this week, the diplomatic effort appears increasingly fragile. President Donald Trump said he is now “less confident” that a deal can be reached to limit Iran’s nuclear capabilities, and described Tehran’s position as “unacceptable.”
Behind the scenes, Israeli officials have signaled that if diplomacy collapses, Israel may act unilaterally to strike Iran’s nuclear sites. That possibility has not gone unnoticed in Tehran. Iran’s Defense Minister Gen. Aziz Nasirzadeh warned on Wednesday that any military action—Israeli or otherwise—would trigger a regional conflagration: “All US bases are within reach. We will boldly target them in host countries.”
The US evacuation plan is expected to proceed via commercial flights, with military assistance available if needed. Officials emphasize this is a precautionary measure following updated threat assessments.
Meanwhile, the UK’s maritime trade agency issued a regional advisory urging commercial vessels to remain vigilant while transiting the Persian Gulf, the Gulf of Oman, and the Strait of Hormuz, citing an elevated risk of military escalation.
Though no changes have been announced to the roughly 2,500 US troops stationed in Iraq, officials stress the situation is fluid and closely tied to developments in the nuclear talks and Israeli decision-making.