Washington: US citizens should not travel to Iraq.
Washington: US citizens should not travel to Iraq.
2025-06-21 00:43
Shafaq News/ The US State Department has urged American citizens not to travel to Iraq amid the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran, according to a statement issued by the US Embassy in Baghdad on Saturday.
The embassy quoted the ministry as saying, “American citizens should not travel to Iraq for any reason.”
The US Department of Defense confirmed, in an official response to Shafaq News Agency inquiries, that it had sent additional military capabilities to the Middle East. This comes at a time of heightened tensions over the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran, and amid public threats from Iraqi armed groups loyal to Tehran to target US interests if Washington intervenes on Tel Aviv’s behalf.
A Pentagon spokesperson told Shafaq News Agency that the official position issued by US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is to enhance the capabilities of the US Central Command (USCENTCOM), without revealing the nature of those capabilities or their locations.
The US Embassy in Iraq issued a statement on Friday stating that “there has been no change to the operational status of the Embassy in Baghdad and the Consulate General in Erbil.”
She added, “The United States is firmly committed to advancing its policy priorities in Iraq, strengthening its sovereignty, and engaging with Iraqi leaders and the Iraqi people.”
Last week, the US Embassy in Baghdad issued a security alert warning American citizens of the increased possibility of violence or attacks against its interests in Iraq.
In a statement at the time, the embassy called on all American citizens in Iraq to avoid places frequented by foreigners, as well as large gatherings and crowds.
The embassy affirmed that it will continue to closely monitor the security situation and provide necessary updates as they become available. The US State Department maintains its travel warning for Iraq at Level 4 (Do Not Travel).
Last Sunday, Kata’ib Hezbollah in Iraq threatened to target US interests and bases across the region if Washington intervenes militarily in the ongoing war between Iran and Israel. The group also sent a message to the Iraqi government and the Coordination Framework.
The approximately 2,500 US troops deployed in Iraq are deployed as part of a training and support mission for Iraqi forces and the international coalition against ISIS. However, these forces have been the frequent target of missile and drone attacks since 2020, with attacks escalating following the assassination of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani and the deputy head of the Popular Mobilization Forces, Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis.
The latest US position comes at a time when the region is witnessing an unprecedented escalation on the ground, with Israel and Iran exchanging military strikes amid fears that the conflict could expand to new arenas, most notably Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon.
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