Exclusive: Washington reduces its diplomatic presence in Iraq and Gulf states amid tensions with Iran
Two Iraqi and American officials said on Thursday that the United States has reduced the number of its diplomatic staff at its missions in Iraq and some Gulf states, taking precautionary measures against the backdrop of escalating regional tensions, without disclosing details about the size or nature of the reduction.
They added in an interview with Shafaq News Agency that the reduction included staff in a number of locations, while work continued in the remaining missions according to normal operational arrangements with a reduction in some staff and non-essential activities.
Meanwhile, an official at the US Embassy declined to comment on this news to Shafaq News Agency, saying only that “the US Embassy in Baghdad and the US Consulate General in Erbil are open, and our operations are proceeding as usual.”
In response to questions about the status of the forces, an official at the US Central Command (CENTCOM), which is part of the US Department of Defense, told Shafaq News Agency that “the US military will not comment on personnel movements or troop status for reasons related to operational security and the safety of military personnel.”
The moves come after US President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social on Wednesday, February 18, warning Britain against “giving away” the Diego Garcia base, saying the base could be needed in any military operation to deter a “potential attack” from Iran.
In parallel, several capitals escalated their warnings to their citizens against traveling to Iran and called on those already there to leave, with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk urging his citizens to leave Iran “immediately,” warning of “an imminent risk of escalation.”
The US State Department has also reiterated in recent security alerts its call for its citizens to “leave Iran now” in light of unrest and security risks.
This is happening while indirect nuclear talks continued in Geneva, mediated by Oman, without any announcement of a decisive breakthrough.
On the military front, Western reports said the US military is preparing for the possibility of operations that could last “for weeks” if Trump orders an attack, with official US expectations of an Iranian response and a shift in targeting beyond nuclear infrastructure.
In the same context, Axios quoted Israeli officials as saying that the government is preparing for the possibility of a large-scale confrontation that “could erupt within days,” while informed sources spoke of different time estimates within the US administration.
Shafaq.com