US orders non-emergency embassy staff to leave Baghdad

The Trump administration has ordered the non-emergency embassy staff to leave Baghdad and Erbil. Earlier today, Iran Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said denied any possibilities of war between the two nations.

Tehran: Amid escalating tensions between the US and Iran, the Trump administration on Wednesday has ordered the non-emergency embassy staff to leave Baghdad and Erbil, AFP reported.

Earlier today, Iran Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei denied any possibilities of war between the two nations.

"There will be no war between the two countries," Khamenei said.

Speaking on the issue which has drawn global attention, the Supreme leader said, "Neither are we seeking war, nor is it to their (the United States') benefit to be after war. They know this. We never start a war and have never started any wars. This is a confrontation of willpowers and our willpower is stronger than theirs."

Khamenei, who has final say on all state matters, called negotiations with the US "poison" and but said "war is not going to happen."

The Pentagon has deployed aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, a bomber squadron and is planning to send Patriot missile system and warship to the Middle East to counter possible unspecified threats by Iran against America's interests.

Against the backdrop of rising tensions, US Administration's order to Baghdad embassy staff assumes significance.