On June 11, 2025, the U.S. Embassy in Iraq began preparations for an ordered evacuation of non-essential personnel and military families due to heightened security risks in the region, Reuters reported. The decision follows escalating tensions between Israel and Iran, with fears of potential Iranian retaliatory strikes involving ballistic missiles. The U.S. State Department has also authorized the voluntary departure of diplomats’ families from Iraq and Syria, as noted by CNN. Social media posts on X highlight growing concerns about a broader Middle East conflict, amplifying the urgency of the situation.
The evacuation plans, detailed by Al Jazeera, reflect U.S. efforts to mitigate risks amid stalled nuclear talks with Iran and Israel’s reported readiness for a military strike, per Haaretz. The Pentagon has increased its regional military presence to deter further escalation, according to Reuters.
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U.S. President
Donald Trump said on Wednesday U.S. personnel were being moved out of the Middle East because “it could be a dangerous place,” adding that the United States would not allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon. Reuters reported earlier on Wednesday that the U.S. is preparing a partial evacuation of its Iraqi embassy and will allow military dependents to leave locations around the Middle East due to heightened security risks in the region, according to U.S. and Iraqi sources.
The four U.S. and two Iraqi sources did not say what security risks had prompted the decision and reports of the potential evacuation
pushed up oil prices by more than 4%. A U.S. official said the State Department had authorized voluntary departures from Bahrain and Kuwait.
The State Department updated its worldwide travel advisory on Wednesday evening to reflect the latest U.S. posture. “On June 11, the Department of State ordered the departure of non-emergency U.S. government personnel due to heightened regional tensions,” the advisory said. The decision by the U.S. to evacuate some personnel comes at a volatile moment in the region. Trump’s efforts to reach a nuclear deal with Iran appear to be deadlocked and
U.S. intelligence indicates that Israel has been making preparations for a strike against Iran’s nuclear facilities.
