More personnel from the United States diplomatic mission have departed Iraq over the weekend as part of ongoing efforts to reduce embassy staffing amid “regional tensions”, according to a US official, after Washington attacked Iranian nuclear sites, AFP reports.

“As part of our ongoing effort to streamline operations, additional personnel departed Iraq on June 21 and 22,” the US official told AFP.

The departures were a continuation of a process that started last week, “out of an abundance of caution and due to heightened regional tensions”, he added.

The embassy and the consulate remain operational.