US State Department denies reports of diplomatic departure order for Iraq

BAGHDAD — The U.S. State Department on Friday denied reports circulating online that it had authorized the departure of non-essential diplomatic personnel and family members from Iraq.

Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott responded on X to a post by i24NEWS claiming the departure had been authorized, writing simply: “This is not true.”

The denial comes as the U.S. has issued similar orders elsewhere in the region. Washington has authorized voluntary departure of non-emergency staff from its mission in Israel and ordered non-essential diplomats to leave its embassy in Beirut. The UK, Australia, China and India have also issued departure advisories or reduced staff at Middle Eastern posts amid rising tensions over the possibility of a U.S. strike on Iran.