The U.S. Department of State announced Wednesday the phased closure of the U.S. Consulate General in Peshawar, transferring responsibility for diplomatic engagement in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad. The decision was attributed to the safety of diplomatic personnel and improved resource management.

The State Department emphasized that while the physical presence in Peshawar is being scaled down, diplomatic engagement with local officials and stakeholders will continue. The embassy in Islamabad and consulates in Lahore and Karachi remain operational, though non-emergency U.S. government staff and family members were ordered to depart Lahore and Karachi on March 3 due to security risks.

Recent unrest in Pakistan, including clashes near the U.S. Consulate in Karachi on March 1 that left at least nine dead, followed U.S.-Israeli strikes that allegedly killed Iran's Supreme Leader. The U.S. has warned of potential drone and missile attacks from Iran, as well as ongoing terrorist threats across Pakistan, particularly in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Security advisories cite risks to transportation hubs, government buildings, and public spaces, with extremist groups capable of carrying out attacks without warning. The embassy will continue to assess security conditions and adjust staffing levels accordingly.