WASHINGTON

The US State Department on Friday pushed back against media reports claiming it had authorized the immediate evacuation of non-essential personnel from Iraq and Kuwait, calling the information inaccurate.

"This is not true," spokesman Tommy Pigott said on US social media company X.

Earlier, the department authorized non-emergency US government personnel and family members of US government personnel to leave Israel due to "safety risks."

"In response to security incidents and without advance notice, the U.S. Embassy may further restrict or prohibit U.S. government employees and their family members from traveling to certain areas of Israel, the Old City of Jerusalem, and the West Bank," it said.