Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine speak at the Pentagon about Operation Epic Fury and the deaths of six U.S. service members in western Iraq last week.

Award-winning American journalist Shelly Kittleson has been kidnapped in Iraq, Al-Monitor, a publication that provides coverage of the Middle East, announced on Tuesday. 

The publication called for Kittleson, a contributor to Al-Monitor, to be released immediately. 

"We are deeply alarmed by the kidnapping of Al-Monitor contributor Shelly Kittleson in Iraq on Tuesday. We call for her safe and immediate release. We stand by her vital reporting from the region and call for her swift return to continue her important work," Al-Monitor said in a statement. 

Iraq's interior ministry confirmed on Tuesday that a foreign journalist was kidnapped in Iraq, although the ministry has not confirmed her identity. 

Journalist Shelly Kittleson has been kidnapped in Iraq, according to reports. (Al-Monitor)

Former Pentagon official Alex Plitsas confirmed the news on X and said her whereabouts and condition were unknown, calling himself her designated U.S. point of contact.

The State Department said the Trump administration had no higher priority than the safety and security of Americans and was closely tracking the reports, according to CBS anchor Margaret Brennan.

The State Department didn't immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital.

This is a developing story, more to come… 

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

Brian Flood is a media editor/reporter for FOX News Digital. Story tips can be sent to brian.flood@fox.com and on Twitter: @briansflood. 

Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox.

By entering your email and clicking the Subscribe button, you agree to the Fox News Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, and
        agree to receive content and promotional communications from Fox News. You understand that you can
        opt-out at any time.

Subscribed

You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter!