The US Embassy in Baghdad warned on Thursday that pro-Iranian armed groups could launch attacks in the city within the next 24 to 48 hours, calling on US citizens to leave Iraq immediately.“Iraqi terrorist militia groups linked to Iran may intend to carry out attacks in central Baghdad in the next 24-48 hours,” the embassy said in a statement on Twitter.It said such groups have previously targeted American citizens and locations associated with the United States, and may target businesses, universities, diplomatic missions, energy sites, hotels, and airports.It also said that “terrorist militias have targeted Americans for kidnapping,” warning that some of the attackers may pose as Iraqi government officials. The embassy stressed that “US citizens should leave Iraq now” and reminded them of the Level 4 “do not travel” warning.This warning has come amid increasing tension in the area. US President Donald Trump also said on Wednesday that US forces would continue to attack Iran “very vigorously” over the next two to three weeks, although he claimed US objectives had been met or exceeded.Iran-aligned groups such as the Islamic Resistance in Iraq (IRI) and the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) have carried out hundreds of drone and missile strikes on US bases in Iraq such as Harir and Erbil as retaliation for US and Israeli attacks on Iran since late February 2026.The situation has also affected Iraq’s economy, particularly in the southern province of Basra, where most of the country’s oil is produced. A month into the conflict, operations at oil fields and ports have slowed sharply, with constant rocket and drone activity in the skies.Iraq depends on oil for about 90 percent of its budget, but exports have been affected because Iran has effectively blocked cargo movement through the Strait of Hormuz. Oil production in southern Iraq has fallen by more than 70 percent, while imports through ports have halved.
