US orders return of Baghdad embassy, Erbil consulate staff
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The United States on Thursday announced the return of its embassy staff in Baghdad and consulate in Erbil, following their ordered departure amid last month's tensions between Israel and Iran. However, Washington continues to advise its citizens against traveling to Iraq, according to a State Department spokesperson.
"Starting today, Secretary [Marco] Rubio decided to end the ordered departure status for the US mission Iraq, personnel, including personnel at the US Embassy Baghdad and us, Consulate General Erbil," US State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce told reporters during a press briefing.
"Personnel who are temporarily relocated outside of Iraq will begin a gradual return to US Embassy Baghdad and Consulate General Erbil. The State Department's travel advisory for Iraq remains at a level four, which, of course, translates to do not travel," she added.
Following the US decision to withdraw staff from Iraq, Israel launched war on Iran which lasted for 12 days. Despite US indirect support for Israel during the first days of the conflict, US missions in the region were not targeted. However, Iran struck US troops in Qatar after Washington hit Iranian nuclear sites.
"We remain strongly committed to advancing our policy priorities in Iraq, strengthening Iraq's sovereignty, advancing US business interests and engaging with Iraqi leaders and the Iraqi people," Bruce noted.
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According to an archived 1997 article from the Berlin newspaper Der Tagesspiegel, Abolghasem Mesbahi, a former Iranian intelligence official, told a Berlin court during the Mykonos trial: "Mousavian participated in most of the [Iranian regime's] crimes that took place in Europe."[2] Iranian dissidents have accused Mousavian of playing a crucial role in the assassinations of at least 24 dissidents in Europe, including Iranian Kurds murdered in a joint Iran-Hizbullah operation in the West Berlin restaurant Mykonos in 1992. Mousavian was the Islamic Republic's ambassador to Germany from 1990 to 1997. He served from 1987-1990 as Iran's General Director of the Foreign Ministry for West Europe and has expressed support for Hamas, Hizbullah, and the Islamic regime's fatwa to assassinate the British-American author Salman Rushdie.[3] Mousavian was a researcher at Princeton University until June 2025.[4] According to the Alliance Against Islamic Regime of Iran Apologists (AAIRIA), Princeton University forced Mousavian into retirement. [5] Following is a translation of the SonntagsBlick interview: "After Iraq's Attacks, We Announced Our Defensive Chemical And Nuclear Programs" Bruno Schirra: "Iran is working on mastering the entire nuclear fuel cycle. To build a bomb, all you would need is a political decision." Mousavian: "True. But that applies to all Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) partners. Japan, too, could withdraw from the NPT at any time and build the bomb. Trying to deprive Iran of these contractual rights demonstrates an unacceptable double standard. Especially since we have unconditionally accepted the additional protocol to the NPT." Schirra: "In doing so you are admitting to the possession of chemical weapons. Regarding the nuclear weapons program, Ayatollah Beheshti already stated in 1981 that its goal was the atomic bomb. And your former President Rafsanjani also called for the construction of 'biological and radiological weapons.' Explicitly, 'for defensive, but also offensive use.'" Mousavian: "We have never heard such a statement from Ayatollah Beheshti..." Schirra: "I would be happy to give you the source. And the date of the Friday prayer, at which Ayatollah Beheshti also said it publicly..." Mousavian: "... and Hashemi [Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani] only spoke about the defensive. After Iraq's attacks, we announced our defensive chemical and nuclear programs. We will continue to do so in the future." Schirra: "Chemical and nuclear programs?" Mousavian: "Yes, yes. But only defensive, never offensive." "We Must Be Able To Defend The People Against Nuclear Attacks" Schirra: "So Iran is pursuing a chemical and a nuclear program?" Mousavian: "That's our public policy." Schirra: "Excuse me, but we are talking about weapons!" Mousavian: "We never said we needed to possess chemical and nuclear weapons. Only programs for defense. We must be able to defend the people against nuclear attacks." Schirra: "In Iranian facilities, 37 tons of so-called yellowcake are being converted into uranium hexafluoride. Too little for civilian purposes, but enough for five nuclear bombs." Mousavian: "The 37 tons are for a pilot project in Isfahan, which was under International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) supervision from the beginning. We are still in the pilot phase, that is, before production. Incidentally, the conversion of yellowcake is also permitted under the regulations of the NPT." Schirra: "In Isfahan and Natanz, you are working on enrichment. The facility in Arak is intended to produce heavy water. All indications that Iran also has a military nuclear program. Are you working on the bomb?" "We Will Respond In A Way That Will Make Jerusalem Regret It Forever – What Does That Mean? You Will See Then" Mousavian: "Iran has the right to use the technology for peaceful purposes. The danger of a civilian nuclear infrastructure being used for military purposes through a political decision applies, as already mentioned, to every member of the NPT!" Schirra: "The IAEA is demanding an end to uranium enrichment in Iran. Will you accept it?" Mousavian: "We do not accept this ultimatum. It was a political decision by the IAEA. Even if we are dragged before the UN Security Council, that will not change our stance. Dissuading us from this can only be achieved through political discussions, not through ultimatums." Schirra: "Why don't you then ensure international détente and simply comply with the IAEA's ultimatum? You know that Israel is watching your plans with great nervousness." Mousavian: "We will not bow to any ultimatum or resolution. And we are certain that Israel would not dare to bomb Iran's nuclear facilities. It does not even have a one percent chance of doing so." Schirra: "And if Israel attacks anyway?" Mousavian: "Then we will respond in a way that will make Jerusalem regret it forever. What does that mean? You will see then." Page one of two of the original German of Mousavian's 2004 interview in SonntagsBlick. Page two of two of the original German of Mousavian's 2004 interview in SonntagsBlick. *Yigal Carmon is Founder and President of MEMRI.
