US Recalls “Non-Essential” Diplomats from Iraq
The US State Department announced that American diplomats whose presence in Iraq is not currently necessary will be leaving Baghdad and Erbil. This news comes amid recent tensions between Iran and the United States.
Following recent tensions between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States, the US State Department is withdrawing a large contingent of its diplomats from Iraq. In a statement released by the US State Department on Wednesday, May 15, it was stated that those diplomats whose presence in Baghdad and Erbil is not currently necessary must leave Iraq.
The US State Department has described the presence of various militant and terrorist groups as “a threat to American citizens and Western companies.”
This US action comes several days after an unexpected visit by Mike Pompeo to Iraq. During this visit, the US Secretary of State spoke of a “very clear and obvious” threat of Iranian attack.
The US Secretary of State met with the Iraqi president and prime minister during this trip and emphasized that American citizens in Iraq must be protected.
Washington claims that threats from Iran-backed forces in the region have increased. The country has sent an aircraft carrier and B-52 strategic bombers to the region, describing it as a “clear message” to Tehran.
On Tuesday, Mike Pompeo, US Secretary of State, emphasized in a meeting with his Russian counterpart in Russia that his country fundamentally does not want war with Iran. Donald Trump, the US president, also denied the New York Times report about considering sending 120,000 American troops to the region.
Trump unilaterally withdrew from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) one year ago. After that, oil sanctions against Iran were reimposed and incrementally intensified.
The Islamic Republic also responded to this US action by announcing last week that it will not comply with some of its commitments under the JCPOA framework. Iran has given Europe 60 days to fulfill its JCPOA commitments to Iran, otherwise the country will implement the second phase of reducing its JCPOA commitments.
Europe rejected Tehran’s deadline but stated that it remains committed to its JCPOA obligations and is working to preserve the agreement.
Source: DW
