State Department denies report it authorized evac of Iraq, Kuwait embassies

The State Department on Friday denied reports that it had authorized the evacuation of non-essential personnel from the Iraq and Kuwait embassies as the prospect of war with Iran intensifies.

Reacting to a report from i24NEWS English, State Department Deputy Spokesman Tommy Pigott merely said "this is not true."

Iraq immediately borders Iran and is host to a number of pro-Iranian militia groups that have clashed with U.S. forces in the country. The pro-Iranian organizations within the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) enjoy legal recognition from the Iraqi government.

Though U.S. forces have moved to withdraw from Iraq, after reentering the country at Baghdad's request to fight the Islamic State. American forces are currently in the process of leaving Syria and were set to leave the northern Kurdistan region of Iraq this year.

Earlier this month, Iraq confirmed that U.S. forces had left all federal territory, which includes most of the country, CNN reported.

Ben Whedon is the Chief Political Correspondent at Just the News. Follow him on X.