U.S. State Department evacuation order: Urges non-emergency personnel to leave Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan

The directive was issued on Tuesday as Washington continues to monitor risks in the region, Reuters reported. The developments come as Iran takes retaliatory actions US-Israeli air strikestriggering concerns about an escalation of tensions in the wider region.

The order states that only essential personnel will remain in place.

Also read: Embassy in Riyadh and Bahrain Air Base: Full list of U.S. facilities in the Middle East hit by new drone attacks today

Tensions have increased since the United States launched a large-scale military operation targeting Iranian missile facilities, naval assets and other strategic locations. U.S. President Donald Trump said the country’s ammunition stocks have “never been higher or better” referring to the conflict, adding that the U.S. had an “almost unlimited supply” of certain weapons.

Also read: US issues Level 4 ‘Do Not Travel’ alert for Iran and Iraq: What it means

While the State Department has not yet announced a full closure of its embassies in Bahrain, Iraq or Jordan, ordering non-essential personnel to leave marks an important step. Diplomatic operations are expected to continue with reduced personnel as officials reassess risks in the coming days.

Further updates may be available as the conflict develops.