The US embassy in Iraq says the state department has ordered all non-emergency government staff to leave the country immediately.

The move comes amid escalating tensions with Iran, after Washington last week said it had detected new and urgent threats from the country.

It said Iran and its proxy forces in the region were targeting its citizens and American interests.

On Sunday, the embassy advised Americans to avoid travel to Iraq, citing “heightened tensions”.

Referring to the embassy and the US consulate in Erbil, the statement from the embassy said “normal visa services at both posts will be temporarily suspended”.

It added: “The US government has limited ability to provide emergency services to US citizens in Iraq.”

The statement recommended those affected “depart by commercial transportation as soon as possible”.

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