U.S. Pulls Embassy Staff from Baghdad Over Security Concerns
Israel is reportedly preparing for the possibility of launching a military strike on Iran in the coming days—even without backing from the United States—as diplomatic efforts to curb Tehran’s nuclear ambitions appear to be losing momentum, according to multiple U.S. media outlets.
NBC News, citing sources including a Capitol Hill aide, reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government is seriously considering unilateral military action. This comes amid ongoing discussions between Washington and Tehran that may lead to a preliminary agreement allowing Iran to continue enriching uranium—an outcome that has raised alarm in Israel.
Sky News, via its U.S. partner NBC, confirmed that Israel is actively weighing military options that would not rely on American support.
Read More: Iran warns West, Israel amid pressure from IAEA
Tensions have intensified following a report by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the UN’s nuclear watchdog, which stated for the first time in nearly 20 years that Iran is not fulfilling its nuclear obligations. Tehran has rejected the allegation, asserting that it remains in compliance with international safeguards.
In a pointed warning on Wednesday, Iranian Defence Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh said Iran would target U.S. military bases across the region if hostilities with the United States break out. His remarks followed congressional testimony by U.S. CENTCOM Commander Gen. Michael Kurilla, who revealed he had presented President Trump with several military options to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.
As tensions escalate, the U.S. has ordered the evacuation of all non-essential staff from its embassy in Baghdad. Similar precautionary options have been extended to personnel and their families at U.S. diplomatic missions in Bahrain and Kuwait.
President Donald Trump confirmed the move on Wednesday evening, stating, “They are being moved out because it could be a dangerous place, and we’ll see what happens.”
White House spokesperson Anna Kelly noted the decision followed a “recent review” but did not confirm whether it was directly related to a potential Israeli strike on Iran.
An Iraqi government source told the state news agency that no immediate security threats had been identified to justify the evacuation. The U.S. embassy in Baghdad was already operating with a reduced staff.
Despite rising military tension, the Trump administration continues to pursue a diplomatic resolution. According to Axios, U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff is scheduled to meet with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Muscat, Oman, this weekend to discuss Tehran’s reaction to a recent U.S. proposal aimed at limiting its nuclear programme.
Read More: Iran slams U.S. travel ban as ‘international law violation’
The ongoing negotiations seek to limit Iran’s nuclear activity in return for partial relief from U.S. sanctions. Tehran maintains that its nuclear programme is peaceful and compliant with international law.
President Trump, however, expressed growing skepticism. Speaking on the New York Post‘s “Pod Force One” podcast, he admitted, “I’m getting more and more less confident” in the potential for a breakthrough.
“They seem to be delaying, and I think that’s a shame,” he added. “Something happened to them.”
