State Department ends ordered departure for U.S. mission in Iraq; travel advisory remains 'Do Not Travel'

The State Department announced at a briefing that Secretary Rubio has ended ordered departure status for U.S. mission personnel in Iraq and that personnel temporarily relocated outside the country will begin a gradual return to U.S. Embassy Baghdad and U.S. Consulate General Erbil.

The spokesperson said the travel advisory for Iraq remains at Level 4, which the State Department designates as "Do Not Travel." "We remain strongly committed to advancing our policy priorities in Iraq, strengthening Iraq's sovereignty, advancing U.S. business interests, and engaging with Iraqi leaders and the Iraqi people," the spokesperson said.

Why it matters: ending an ordered departure permits mission staff to return to in-country operations but the continued Level 4 advisory signals ongoing security concerns and that travel warnings remain in place for U.S. citizens.

The spokesperson said the State Department and the U.S. missions in Iraq will continue to closely monitor security conditions across Iraq and the region. Reporters asked for additional operational detail; the spokesperson did not provide a timeline beyond a "gradual return" and referred follow-up questions to mission officials.

Officials framed the change as a step toward re-establishing full diplomatic engagement while retaining public caution about security risks.