Military Space News
IRAQ WARS
US lets staff return to Iraq weeks after Iran strike
US lets staff return to Iraq weeks after Iran strike
by AFP Staff Writers
Washington (AFP) July 17, 2025

The United States said Thursday it would allow its diplomats to return to Iraq, nearly a month after they were ordered out as a precaution following US strikes on neighboring Iran.

While the State Department did not explain its reasons, such shifts in staffing generally indicate Washington sees a lower risk of conflict.

"Personnel who are temporarily located outside of Iraq will begin a gradual return to the US embassy in Baghdad and consulate" in the northern Kurdish city of Arbil, State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce told reporters.

She said the State Department still advised Americans not to travel to Iraq.

Iran's clerical government has wide influence over armed Shiite groups in Iraq who have at times targeted US forces.

The United States on June 22 ordered staff out of Iraq as President Donald Trump ordered strikes on Iranian nuclear sites as part of a military campaign by Israel.

Iran responded by firing missiles at a major US base in Qatar but Trump said that Iran had telegraphed its intentions, giving time to shoot down the projectiles. Soon afterward Trump declared a ceasefire between Israel and Iran.

The easing of travel restrictions comes despite a series of drone strikes on oil fields in the Kurdistan region.

There were no claims for the strikes, which came amid a dispute between Kurdish authorities and the central government on oil revenue, which headed toward resolution on Thursday.

Bruce condemned the attacks, saying they "imperil Iraq's stability and economic future."

"The government of Iraq has a duty to protect its territory and all of its citizens," she said.

The State Department on June 22 also ordered out family members and non-emergency employees from Lebanon, where Iran holds sway over Shiite movement Hezbollah, but lifted the order on July 3.

Related Links
Iraq: The first technology war of the 21st century

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
IRAQ WARS
Iraq in contact with Iran, US in bid to stay out of conflict: officials
Baghdad (AFP) June 14, 2025
Iraq has approached the Iranian and US governments in a bid to prevent being caught up in a regional escalation, officials said Saturday, as Washington's ally Israel and Iran traded blows. The government in Baghdad is a close ally of Tehran, but also a strategic partner of Iran's arch-foe the United States, which has some 2,500 troops in Iraq as part of an anti-jihadist coalition. The government in a statement late Saturday said that it "reiterates its firm and unequivocal rejection of any viola ... read more

IRAQ WARS
Trump: U.S. to send Patriot missiles to Ukraine, EU to pay bill

Patriot air defences for Ukraine: Useful but no panacea

Israeli army says intercepted missile launched from Yemen

York deploys Dragoon satellite to bolster SDA missile alert and tactical link goals

IRAQ WARS
Israel admits 'technical error' in airstrike that kills 6 children

Germany considering buying US air defence systems for Ukraine

Zelensky says discussed buying US air-defence systems with Trump

Sweden acquires German air defence systems for $930 mn

IRAQ WARS
Russia fires hundreds of drones at Ukraine, defying Trump warning

Russia fires 136 drones at Ukraine ahead of Trump-NATO head meeting

Drone downed near Iraq airport hosting US troops: Kurd forces

Six killed in massive Russian drone, missile attack across Ukraine

IRAQ WARS
Israel launches communications satellite from Florida

France's military pigeons race in memory of brave predecessors

SpaceX to launch Falcon 9 with Israeli communications satellite

Eutelsat to Deliver Low Orbit Satellite Services Under New French Defense Agreement

IRAQ WARS
Finnish MPs approve withdrawal from anti-mine treaty

Use of US bunker-buster bomb looms over Iran conflict

B61-13 gravity bomb reaches first production milestone ahead of projected timeline

NATO learns as Ukraine's 'creativity' changes battlefield

IRAQ WARS
Netherlands, Scandinavian states look to join Trump Ukraine arms plan

Zelensky urges more investment in defence against Russian attacks

Macron to raise defence targets, citing Russia threat

US halting some shipments of military aid to Ukraine

IRAQ WARS
Ecuador's Noboa plans referendum to reopen U.S. military base in Manta

China hails 'strategically valuable' Russia ties in Lavrov visit

China's Xi vows greater support for Russia as meets Lavrov

Japan says China's military activities could 'seriously impact' its security

IRAQ WARS
Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.