Some US government employees from the US Embassy in Baghdad and its consulate in Erbil have been ordered to leave Iraq.
In a statement, the US State Department said: "Normal visa services at both posts will be temporarily suspended".
A US State Department spokesman said the decision to withdraw the staff was based on escalating tensions between Washington and Iran.
He, however, didn't give details on how many personnel were leaving.
Dozens killed, 100 injured in fire at Swiss ski resort, police say
Dozens of people were killed and 100 injured, most of them seriously, after fire tore through a crowded New Year's Eve party in the upscale Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana, officials said on Thursday.
Mamdani's inauguration: New York, New Year, new mayor
Zohran Mamdani was sworn in as New York City mayor in the first minutes of the New Year at the historic City Hall subway station, with his wife Rama Duwaji standing by his side.
Trump says National Guard being removed from Chicago, LA and Portland
US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday his administration was removing the National Guard from Chicago, Los Angeles and Portland but he added in his social media post that federal forces will "come back" if crime rates go up.
2026 welcomed with celebrations across the globe
As Wednesday turned to Thursday, people around the world said goodbye to a sometimes challenging 2025 and expressed hopes for the new year to come.
US holds talks with Ukraine, European countries on next steps in ending war
President Donald Trump's advisers held talks on Wednesday with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and national security advisers from the UK, France and Germany to discuss the next steps in ending Russia's war in Ukraine, US special envoy Steve Witkoff said.
6:00am - 10:00am
The legendary Craig David joins The Kris Fade Show for an unforgettable chat!
Every weekend Kris Fade plays the biggest tracks in the Middle East. Check out this weeks chart...
It arrived: The UAE's First Mega Music Festival at Expo City Dubai!
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