US orders all staff to evacuate Iraq immediately amid fears of an Iranian attack in the Gulf

THE US Embassy in Iraq has ordered all non-essential, non-emergency government staff to immediately leave the country amid escalating tensions with Iran.

The alert comes after the US last week said it had detected new and urgent threats from Iran and its proxy forces in the region targeting Americans.

3

3

The alert was published on the embassy's website on Wednesday, and has been issued by the US State Department.

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

Iran's supreme leader Hassan Rouhani claims that enriching uranium to weapons-grade levels would not be a difficult task for the country.

US NAVAL PRESENCE

Recently, Iran used explosives to blow huge holes in four ships - including two Saudi oil tankers - anchored in the Persian Gulf, a US official has claimed.

The ships now reportedly have ruptures measuring up to ten foot across  in their hulls as a result of  Sunday's sabotage attacks.

However, the Pentagon had already warned ships that "Iran or its proxies" could be targeting maritime traffic in the region.

America is now deploying an aircraft carrier and B-52 bombers to the Persian Gulf to counter alleged, still-unspecified threats from Tehran.

'SABOTAGE ATTACK'

In recent days, two Saudi oil tankers were hit by a "sabotage attack" off the United Arab Emirates - as tensions flare between the US and Iran.

The ships were struck off the coast of the port of Fujairah - with one of the tankers due to be loaded with Saudi crude oil bound for the United States.

Saudi energy minister Khalid Al-Falih revealed the tankers suffered "significant damage" - although it was unclear what the attack involved.

Last week, a senior Iranian cleric said the US fleet could be wiped out "with a single missile".

And the hardline Iranian Revolutionary Guard said it was not prepared to enter into talks with President Donald Trump - who had called for negotiations over ending Iran's nuclear programme.

Just minutes before the sabotage attack was revealed today, the US Maritime Administration warned shippers to exercise caution when travelling past Fujairah.

The general-secretary of the Gulf Cooperation Council described the sabotage as a "serious escalation" in an overnight statement.

HEIGHTENED TENSIONS

Tensions have riled the region amid the unravelling of the nuclear deal.

Though Iran maintains its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes, scientists say the time needed to reach the 90 percent threshold for weapons-grade uranium is halved once uranium is enriched to around 20 percent.

The training of Iraqi security forces has been stopped due to US intelligence warnings.

Soldiers were reportedly leaving the shelter in their protective equipment and weapons.

Since the Iran crisis the security situation in Iraq has deteriorated.

State-owned Iran Daily quoted Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as telling a group of officials during a meeting on Tuesday night that "achieving 20 per cent enrichment is the most difficult part.

"The next steps are easier than this step."

MOST READ IN NEWS

POISON KILLER

'Serial killer' dubbed ‘Ms Cyanide’ sentenced to DEATH after 'killing 14'

HORROR END

Tragic cause of death revealed after girl, 7, was tied to crib & had mouth glued

VLAD VANISHES

Putin not seen for 12 DAYS as Russia-watchers discover error in ‘new’ pics

BEAM ME UP PROFESSOR

New ET studies degree teaches students to 'talk to aliens'

Iran recently threatened to resume higher enrichment in 60 days if no new nuclear deal is in place, beyond the 3.67 percent permitted by the current deal between Tehran and world powers.

The Trump administration pulled America out of the deal last year.

Iranian officials have said that they could reach 20 percent enrichment within four days.

US B-52 bombers have 'already flown missions' after Iran threatened to attack Israel if the US launches an assault

3