WASHINGTON, June 11 (AP) : The United States is preparing a partial evacuation of its embassy in Baghdad and has authorized the voluntary departure of military dependents from several locations across the Middle East, according to U.S. and Iraqi sources. The move comes in response to escalating security concerns in the region, though officials did not specify the exact nature of the threats.

The U.S. State Department has yet to issue a formal comment, but reports of the impending evacuation have already impacted global markets, pushing oil prices higher. Brent crude rose by $3, reaching $69.18 per barrel following the news.

President Joe Biden has recently expressed frustration over faltering negotiations with Iran regarding its nuclear program. On Wednesday, he said he was increasingly doubtful that Tehran would agree to cease uranium enrichment — a central U.S. demand in the talks. Meanwhile, Iranian Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh warned that Iran would retaliate against American military bases in the region if talks collapsed and U.S. forces launched any attacks.

The United States maintains a significant military footprint in Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has authorized the voluntary departure of military family members from installations across the region. One U.S. official noted that the directive particularly affects dependents stationed in Bahrain, home to a large concentration of American personnel.

“The State Department is preparing an ordered departure of U.S. personnel from the Baghdad embassy,” a senior official confirmed. “While the plan is to conduct the evacuation through commercial channels, U.S. military support is available if needed.”

An Iraqi foreign ministry official confirmed the move, describing it as a “partial evacuation” driven by "potential security concerns related to regional tensions."

Despite the developments in Iraq, another U.S. official stated that operations at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar — the largest American military base in the region — remain unaffected. No evacuation orders have been issued for embassy staff or their families in Qatar, and the mission continues to operate normally.

Wider Security Implications

The evacuation news comes amid growing unease over maritime security. Earlier in the day, the United Kingdom’s maritime security agency issued an alert, warning that heightened tensions in the Middle East could spark military confrontations affecting major shipping lanes. It advised caution for vessels transiting the Gulf, Gulf of Oman, and Strait of Hormuz — all strategic waterways bordering Iran.

Iraq finds itself in a delicate position, maintaining close ties with both Washington and Tehran. The country hosts around 2,500 U.S. troops and also includes powerful Iran-backed militias within its broader security apparatus.

Tensions in Iraq have steadily intensified since the outbreak of the Israel-Gaza conflict in October 2023. Iran-aligned militant groups in Iraq have carried out repeated attacks on U.S. forces, further straining the already volatile security environment.