The United States Embassy in Baghdad has urged American citizens to leave Iraq immediately after a missile struck part of the embassy compound in the capital, heightening fears over the security situation amid escalating regional tensions.

In an updated security alert issued on Saturday, the embassy warned that threats from Iran-aligned militia groups remain significant and could endanger US citizens and infrastructure across the country. The advisory came hours after a missile hit a helipad within the embassy complex in Baghdad.

Officials said the security situation remains volatile, prompting the diplomatic mission to advise Americans in the country to depart as soon as possible and avoid travelling to US diplomatic facilities.

Embassy warns Americans to leave Iraq

In the alert shared on social media, the embassy said: "US citizens should leave Iraq immediately."

It also urged those planning to remain in the country to reconsider their decision due to the ongoing security risks.

"US citizens choosing to remain in Iraq are strongly encouraged to reconsider in light of the significant threat posed by Iran-aligned terrorist militia groups," the embassy said.

The diplomatic mission also cautioned US citizens against attempting to visit its facilities in Baghdad or northern Iraq.

"Do not attempt to come to the Embassy in Baghdad or the Consulate General in Erbil due to the ongoing risk of rockets, drones, and mortars in Iraqi airspace," the embassy says.

Attack hits embassy compound

The latest advisory followed an overnight missile strike that landed inside the heavily fortified embassy compound. The projectile reportedly struck a helipad area within the facility, though no casualties were immediately reported.

The embassy complex in Baghdad, one of the largest US diplomatic missions in the world, has long been considered a high-profile target for armed groups operating in Iraq.

International Zone repeatedly targeted

According to the embassy’s security notice, militia groups aligned with Iran have launched several attacks in and around the capital in recent years, including strikes on the heavily guarded diplomatic district.

"Iran-aligned terrorist militias have attacked the International Zone in central Baghdad on multiple occasions. The International Zone remains closed, with limited exceptions. Repeated attacks have also occurred in the vicinity of Erbil International Airport and the Consulate General. Do not attempt to come to the Embassy in Baghdad or the Consulate General in Erbil due to the ongoing risk of rockets, drones, and mortars in Iraqi airspace," the advisory, originally in Arabic, read.

The embassy had already renewed its Level 4 security warning for Iraq on Friday, stressing that Iranian-backed groups have previously targeted American citizens, infrastructure and interests and may continue to do so.

Rising tensions across the region

The incident comes amid intensifying conflict in the wider Middle East, where tensions between Iran and a coalition including Israel and the United States have raised fears of a broader regional escalation.

Security sources cited by Reuters said the attack followed airstrikes that killed three members of an Iran-aligned Shia militia in Baghdad.

In recent days, armed groups linked to Tehran have increased attacks on American interests in Iraq, targeting diplomatic sites, military facilities and airports. On Saturday, the United Arab Emirates Consulate in Erbil was also targeted in a drone strike, marking at least the second such attack on the mission since the latest regional hostilities began.