The U.S. Embassy in Baghdad is urging American citizens currently in Iraq to leave the country immediately, citing escalating regional developments that could rapidly disrupt travel and close off exit routes with little warning.
"Do not travel to Iraq for any reason. Leave now if you are there," the State Department said in the release, reiterating the country's standing "Level 4: Do Not Travel" advisory—the most severe designation in the department's four-tier system.
The embassy stressed that Americans seeking information about outbound flights should contact their airlines directly. For those trying to assess current conditions at specific airports, the State Department pointed to real-time flight tracking resources for Baghdad International Airport, Erbil International Airport, Basrah International Airport, and Jalal Talabani International Airport in Sulaymaniyah.
Despite the volatile climate, the U.S. Mission in Iraq remains open and is currently operating under an ordered departure—meaning non-emergency staff have been directed to leave the country. Embassy Baghdad is still offering limited American Citizen Services. Americans in need of consular assistance can reach Embassy Baghdad by email at [email protected] or Consulate General Erbil at [email protected].
For those who cannot immediately leave, the department outlined a series of precautionary steps. Citizens are advised to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, known as STEP, which allows the embassy to push safety and security updates directly to registered travelers. Officials also recommended that Americans monitor local media, pay close attention to announcements from local authorities, avoid crowds and public demonstrations, and follow the "U.S. Department of State – Security Updates for U.S. Citizens" channel on WhatsApp.
Keeping a cell phone charged and pre-loaded with emergency contacts was also recommended. The local emergency number for Iraq is 911. The State Department's Consular Affairs Call Center can be reached at +1-888-407-4747 from within the United States and Canada, or at +1-202-501-4444 when calling from abroad.
The Iraq warning arrives at a moment when the State Department has been issuing a series of elevated travel notices across the broader region. Earlier this month, the agency renewed a Level 2 advisory for Mexico, citing persistent risks from violent crime, terrorism, and kidnapping—a concern amplified by the influx of American tourists heading south of the border for the FIFA World Cup 2026.