The United States has initiated a partial evacuation of its embassy in Iraq and authorized the voluntary departure of dependents of US personnel from locations across the Middle East, including Bahrain, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates. This move is a response to rising regional security concerns.
According to the Department of State, the decision to evacuate non-essential personnel from the US Embassy in Baghdad, which was already operating with limited staff, is “based on a commitment to keeping Americans safe, both at home and abroad”. US President Donald Trump explained that the region “could be a dangerous place” and added, “We’ll see what happens. We’ve given notice to move out, and we’ll see what happens”.
Trump emphasized the US stance on Iran’s nuclear program, stating, “They can’t have a nuclear weapon, very simple. We’re not going to allow that.” The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had authorized the departure of military dependents in the region, and CENTCOM is “monitoring the developing tension”.
The evacuation comes as talks between the US and Iran over its nuclear program appear to have hit an impasse. US news broadcaster CBS reported that US officials have been informed that Israel is “fully ready” to launch an attack on Iran, and Washington “anticipates” that Tehran could retaliate by targeting “certain American sites in neighboring Iraq”.
Iran’s mission to the United Nations responded, saying, “Iran is not seeking a nuclear weapon, and US militarism only fuels instability”. The Iranian mission added, “Threats of ‘overwhelming force’ won’t change the facts. Diplomacy – not militarism – is the only path forward”.
Iranian Defence Minister General Aziz Nasirzadeh stated that Tehran stands ready to respond to any aggression, warning, “If conflict is imposed on us, the opponent’s casualties will certainly be more than ours, and in that case, America must leave the region, because all its bases are within our reach”.
The next round of talks between the US and Iran on limits to Tehran’s nuclear program is tentatively scheduled for this weekend in Oman, with Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, still scheduled to attend.