Alert: US Embassy In Baghdad On Departure Of Non-Emergency US Government Personnel
Because of security concerns, U.S. government personnel in Baghdad are prohibited from using Baghdad International Airport.
WASHINGTON - Iraq – Level 4: Do Not Travel Travel Advisory June 11, 2025, On June 11, the Department of State ordered the departure of non-emergency U.S. government personnel due to heightened regional tensions.
US Prepares To Evacuate Iraq Embassy as Iran Threatens Bases and Tests Missile Amid Nuclear Talks
MIDDLE EAST — The United States is preparing to evacuate its embassy in Iraq, including non-essential staff in Bahrain and Kuwait, due to heightened security risks, according to U.S. and Iraqi officials. This follows a warning from Iranian Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh on June 11, 2025, that Iran would target U.S. bases if nuclear negotiations fail, as per his official statement.
Do not travel to Iraq due to terrorism, kidnapping, armed conflict, civil unrest, and the U.S. government’s limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in Iraq. Do not travel to Iraq for any reason.
Country Summary
U.S. citizens in Iraq face high risks, including violence and kidnapping. Terrorist and insurgent groups regularly attack Iraqi security forces and civilians. Anti-U.S. militias threaten U.S. citizens and international companies. Attacks using improvised explosive devices, indirect fire, and unmanned aerial vehicles occur in many areas, including major cities.
The Department of State requires U.S. government personnel in Iraq to live and work under strict security due to serious threats. There is risk of terrorist violence, including terrorist attacks and other activity in Iraq.
Visit the U.S. Department of State’s country reports on terrorism to learn more. Demonstrations, protests, and strikes occur frequently throughout the country. These events can develop quickly without prior notice, often interrupting traffic, transportation, and other services, and sometimes turn violent.
Do not travel near armed groups or Iraq’s northern borders due to: - Continued threat of attacks by terrorist groups - Armed conflict - Aerial bombardment - Civil unrest U.S. citizens should not travel through Iraq to engage in armed conflict in Syria, where they would face extreme personal risks (kidnapping, injury, or death) and legal risks (arrest, fines, and expulsion).
The Kurdistan Regional Government in Iraq has stated it will impose prison sentences of up to ten years on individuals who illegally cross the Iraq-Syria border. Fighting on behalf of or providing other forms of support to designated terrorist organizations can constitute the provision of material support to a foreign terrorist organization, which is a crime under U.S. law that can result in penalties including prison time and large fines.
Because of security concerns, U.S. government personnel in Baghdad are prohibited from using Baghdad International Airport. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) and a Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR) due to risks to civil aviation operating within or in the vicinity of Iraq.
