By John Lee.
The U.S. Department of State ordered the departure of non-emergency U.S. government personnel from its embassy in Baghdad.
A statement from the Embassy said the move was "due to heightened regional tensions."
Analysts say this relates to an increased likelihood that negotiations with Iran regarding nuclear enrichment will break down. Iran's Defence Minister, Aziz Nasirzadeh, is quoted as saying that Iran would target American military bases in the region "if a conflict is imposed on us."
It is understood that the US embassy in Baghdad was already operating with reduced staffing levels.
(Sources: US Embassy in Baghdad; Reuters)
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