The U.S. State Department has ordered all non-emergency government staff to leave Iraq immediately as tensions rise with Iran.
U.S. military forces in Iraq have been been put on high alert after intelligence officials said they detected urgent credible threats from Iran targeting Americans and U.S. interests in the region. President Trump has also increased its military presence in the Persian Gulf, sending a sign that the U.S. and Iran may be headed toward a confrontation. (NBC News)
Hot Takes:
- There’s been no word what, if any, specific threats have been made against Americans.
- The U.S. recently blamed Iran for sabotaging Saudi oil tankers in the Gulf.
- Trump has said that he has no plans to go to war with Iran, but he certainly appears to be leaving that option on the table.
- Critics have suggested that Trump is ramping up the Iran rhetoric ahead of the 2020 election.