The U.S. Embassy in Baghdad has strongly urged American citizens in Iraq to leave the country as soon as they can do so safely, warning that Iran-aligned militant groups may target U.S. nationals and places frequented by foreigners. In a security alert issued on March 4, the embassy said Americans should depart “as soon as they are safely able to do so” and shelter in place until conditions allow them to leave.

The embassy said the threat environment remains serious and specifically warned that militant groups could attack hotels popular with foreign visitors. It advised Americans who choose to remain in Iraq to reconsider their lodging options, a sign of growing concern that civilian locations could become targets as regional tensions intensify.

The warning comes as the State Department maintains Iraq at Level 4: Do Not Travel and after Washington ordered the departure of non-emergency U.S. government personnel from Iraq on March 2 because of security concerns. U.S. officials have cited the risks of armed conflict, militia violence, kidnapping, and attacks on both Iraqi and foreign interests.

Leaving Iraq is also becoming more difficult. The embassy noted that commercial flights are not operating from Iraq, reflecting wider disruptions to regional aviation caused by the conflict. Americans seeking to depart were told to consider overland routes to Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, or Turkey, while also warning that most land borders are open for now but could close at short notice.

The alert underscores fears that the war involving Iran, Israel, and the United States could spill further into Iraq, where Iran-backed armed groups have long operated and where U.S. personnel and interests remain a potential target. Recent reporting has also pointed to drone and rocket threats across Iraqi airspace, adding to the sense of instability.

For Americans still in Iraq, the embassy’s message was unambiguous: leave if it is safe, stay alert, and be prepared for conditions to deteriorate quickly.