In a major escalation of World War 3 fears, the United Nations has evacuated its headquarters in Iraq over an alleged "security threat".

UN personnel have been ordered to leave the Mission in Baghdad's Green Zone, site of the US Embassy and many other major diplomatic buildings.

The United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) was created in August 2003 at the request of the Iraqi government to help with national development efforts throughout the country.

It has around 320 international staff and more than 470 Iraqis working for it across the country.

The evacuation comes as tensions rise in the region following Iranian airstrikes on 15 US targets in Iraq.

Iraq's foreign ministry has lodged official complaints with the UN's Secretary-General and Security Council over US airstrikes on Iraqi soil which killed Iran's top general Qassem Soleimani and several Iraqi militia leaders.

Soleimani died in a drone strike on Friday, sparking furious protests in Iran and Iraq.

Iranian forces this morning launched airstrikes on 15 US targets in Iraq, after previously demanding that American troops leave Iraq.

US President Donald Trump threatened that 52 Iranian targets would be attacked, including a number of culturally significant sites.

A number of NATO troops who had been helping Iraqi troops battle ISIS have started leaving the country.

In a statement, the organisation said it was taking precautions in the wake of war fears, including "the temporary repositioning of some personnel to different locations both inside and outside Iraq."

The US has said it won't issue Iran's foreign minister a visa to travel to the United Nations later this week, claiming there wasn't enough time to process the request.

Mohammed Javad Zarif told "CBS This Morning" on Tuesday that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had informed the UN Secretary-General, who in turn had passed the message on to Zarif.

The visit would have given the top Iranian official a chance to discuss the killing of Suleimani last week and the resulting escalation in tensions.

Today has also seen the crashing of a passenger plane in Iran, killing all on board.

The Ukraine Airlines Boeing 737 came down shortly after taking off from Tehran with 176 crew and passengers losing their lives.

Three Brits are confirmed to be among the victims.

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UN headquarters in Iraq evacuated over 'security threat' as WW3 fears escalate - Daily Star