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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| US to partially evacuate embassy in Iraq over security threats | US to partially evacuate embassy in Iraq over security threats |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| US Black Hawk helicopters flying over Baghdad in December 2024 | US Black Hawk helicopters flying over Baghdad in December 2024 |
| Non-essential US embassy staff and their dependants in Baghdad are evacuating from Iraq due to heightened security risks, US government sources said on Wednesday. | Non-essential US embassy staff and their dependants in Baghdad are evacuating from Iraq due to heightened security risks, US government sources said on Wednesday. |
| Officials did not say exactly what prompted the removal, however, in recent days talks over Iran's nuclear programme appear to have stalled. | |
| A US state department official told the BBC: "We are constantly assessing the appropriate personnel posture at all our embassies. | A US state department official told the BBC: "We are constantly assessing the appropriate personnel posture at all our embassies. |
| "Based on our latest analysis, we decided to reduce the footprint of our mission in Iraq." | "Based on our latest analysis, we decided to reduce the footprint of our mission in Iraq." |
| US President Donald Trump told a podcast on Wednesday that he was growing less confident that a deal could be reached over Iran's nuclear programme. | US President Donald Trump told a podcast on Wednesday that he was growing less confident that a deal could be reached over Iran's nuclear programme. |
| The US wants Iran to stop enriching uranium, which can be used to create a nuclear bomb, in exchange for easing economic sanctions. | The US wants Iran to stop enriching uranium, which can be used to create a nuclear bomb, in exchange for easing economic sanctions. |
| Watch: Trump says US personnel "being moved out" of the Middle East | |
| Iranian Defence Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh said his country would retaliate against US bases in the region if talks fail and Trump orders military strikes against Iran. | Iranian Defence Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh said his country would retaliate against US bases in the region if talks fail and Trump orders military strikes against Iran. |
| Reuters reports that US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth also approved the voluntary departure of families of US military personnel from countries across the Middle East, including Kuwait and Bahrain. | Reuters reports that US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth also approved the voluntary departure of families of US military personnel from countries across the Middle East, including Kuwait and Bahrain. |
| Testifying in front of a congressional panel on Wednesday, Hegseth said he believed there are "plenty of indications" that Iran is "moving their way towards something that would look a lot like a nuclear weapon". | |
| Iran says its uranium enrichment programme is for civilian energy generation and that it is not trying to build an atomic bomb. | |
| Also on Wednesday, the UK's Maritime Trade Operations organisation - part of the Royal Navy - issued a warning saying that increased military tensions in the Middle East could affect shipping. | Also on Wednesday, the UK's Maritime Trade Operations organisation - part of the Royal Navy - issued a warning saying that increased military tensions in the Middle East could affect shipping. |
| The price of oil initially increased more than 4% when news of the US evacuation broke, in anticipation of regional insecurity potentially leading to supply problems. | The price of oil initially increased more than 4% when news of the US evacuation broke, in anticipation of regional insecurity potentially leading to supply problems. |
| Around 2,500 US troops are based in Iraq, according to the defence department. | Around 2,500 US troops are based in Iraq, according to the defence department. |
| Additional reporting by Tom Bateman in Washington | Additional reporting by Tom Bateman in Washington |