The United States Department has directed her citizens residing in Iraq to leave the country immediately following the assassination of top Iranian commander, Qassem Soleimani, in Baghdad.
The US State Department in a statement issued on Friday also suspended all consular operations in Iraq.
The statement was contained in series of tweeted posted on Friday afternoon. The statement explained that the directive became necessary following heightened tensions in Iraq and the region.
On the closure of the consular, the statement said since Iranian-backed militia attack at the US Embassy compound, all consular operations needed to be suspended. It urged US citizens not to approach the Embassy.
The tweet read in part
"#Iraq: Due to heightened tensions in Iraq and the region, we urge U.S. citizens to depart Iraq immediately. Due to Iranian-backed militia attacks at the U.S. Embassy compound, all consular operations are suspended. U.S. citizens should not approach the Embassy."
