After more than two weeks of the ceasefire stalling the US-Israeli war on Iran , many foreign and Arab diplomatic missions that had previously left Iraq remain hesitant to return to Baghdad.
Sources at the Iraqi Foreign Ministry who spoke to The New Arab noted that missions that withdrew ambassadors, diplomatic staff and their families have yet to bring many of them back. The situation also applies to foreign scientific and research missions working in archaeology, education, energy and health.
They do not appear likely to return soon, as risks linked to the conflict remain in place.
Armed factions known as the "Islamic Resistance in Iraq" continue to issue threats against nationals of countries participating in or supporting the war on Iran, based on an unclear classification that appears primarily directed at the United States.
Iraqi observers warn the situation could lead to "serious" consequences, including greater international isolation for Iraq and a weakening of state authority in favour of armed factions. These groups have intensified attacks on diplomatic missions.
The most notable incident was a drone strike on Baghdad's Al-Rasheed Hotel , which hosts around 15 permanent diplomatic delegations in Iraq, as well as a strike near the diplomatic support centre close to Baghdad airport .
In this context, a senior Iraqi Foreign Ministry official said to The New Arab that "the US embassy and most European embassies have not retained their foreign staff in Baghdad."
The official said Western embassies are now operating with minimal personnel, most of them Iraqi staff and that they have also stopped receiving in-person visitors, now handling applications online.
"Government assurances and a media campaign aimed at preventing departures have not yielded results," the official said, adding that "there is no indication of an imminent return and that any return appears directly linked to the end of the war.
"The current foreign diplomatic presence is the lowest in nearly 20 years. The return of diplomatic missions is directly tied to the security situation, particularly whether the truce holds or collapses and fighting resumes. Any escalation would likely lead to renewed threats from armed factions ," the official stressed.
Meanwhile, Iraqi Member of Parliament Amer al-Fayez said to The New Arab that the departure of foreign missions "is not in Iraq's interest and increases the country's international and regional isolation."
"The security situation is improving following a decline in hostilities and ongoing regional and international dialogue aimed at ending what he described as the brutal war imposed by Israel on the region," he said.
Al-Fayez added that the "Iraqi government and political parties reject the idea of Iraq being isolated from its regional and international environment. Instead, efforts are underway for Iraq to play a leading role in resolving crises rather than becoming part of conflicts."
He also noted that "the withdrawal of missions over the past two months has not been limited to Iraq", saying it has also "affected some Gulf states due to the wider impact of the war."
In March, Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein said, "Attacks on foreign missions had damaged the country's reputation."
He stressed in official statements that "Baghdad is committed to protecting diplomatic missions operating in Iraq."
He also warned of "the risks posed by continued war and its consequences for regional security and stability", adding that "the government is working to shield Iraq from the fallout of the conflict and to prevent it from being drawn into the wider confrontation."
Iraq National Security Adviser Qassem al-Araji said the country had introduced strict security measures to protect diplomatic missions and embassies.
However, despite these measures, several missions relocated to Erbil, the capital of the Kurdistan Region in northern Iraq, before leaving the country entirely.
Following the withdrawals, Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani reaffirmed his government's full commitment to protecting diplomatic missions.
"Direct orders had been issued to pursue those responsible for attacks and bring them before the judiciary," he said.
The president of Iraq’s Supreme Judicial Council, Faiq Zaidan, said, "Attacks on diplomatic missions go beyond security breaches; it is a clear violation of international law that could lead to political and economic sanctions or even international isolation."
In an article, he said Iraqi law treats such acts as terrorist offences that may carry the death penalty, reflecting the seriousness of the situation.
Political researcher Abdullah al-Rikabi predicted a "delayed return" of foreign missions and diplomatic staff.
He told The New Arab that "recent direct attacks on embassies, consulates and related facilities have shaped a new international perception that armed factions now represent the main security threat in Iraq".
He noted that "Iraqi factions have entered, of their own volition, the broader confrontation between Iran, the United States and Israel, despite the Iraqi government's stated policy of neutrality."
"This has created a situation in which the influence of these factions competes with the authority of the Iraqi state," al-Rikabi said.
"Attacks on diplomatic missions, hotels hosting them and associated companies have placed Iraqi sovereignty under serious strain and exposed the country to risks, including sanctions and international and economic isolation," he added. Article translated from Arabic by Afrah Almatwari. To read the original, click here .