Amid regional security concerns, the United States has ordered a partial evacuation of its embassy in Iraq and authorised “the voluntary departure” of dependents of US personnel from locations across the Middle East, including Bahrain, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates.
The US diplomatic draw-down came as Iran threatened to target US military bases in the region if conflict breaks out, while President Donald Trump said that he was “less confident” about reaching a nuclear deal.
US Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a statement that Defense Secretary, Pete Hegseth has authorized the voluntary departure of military dependents from locations in the region and that CENTCOM was “monitoring the developing tension.”
According to the US Department of State, orders for all nonessential personnel to depart the US Embassy in Baghdad – which was already on limited staffing – was based on a commitment “to keeping Americans safe, both at home and abroad.”
The partial evacuations come at a moment of heightened tensions in a region already aflame after 18 months of war in Gaza that has raised fears of a wider conflagration pitting the US and Israel against Iran and its allies.
US news agency reported that US officials have been informed that Israel is “fully ready” to launch an attack on Iran and that Washington “anticipates” that Tehran could retaliate by targeting “certain American sites in neighbouring Iraq.”
Earlier, Britain’s maritime agency warned that increased tensions in the Middle East may lead to an escalation in military activity that could impact shipping in critical waterways.
It advised vessels to use caution while travelling through the Gulf, the Gulf of Oman and the Straits of Hormuz, which all border Iran.
Britain’s Foreign Office said that it was monitoring the situation and will keep its embassy in Iraq under constant review after the US moves.
US President, Donald Trump said that the order to move staff out had been given because the region “could be a dangerous place.” He noted, “We’ll see what happens. We’ve given notice to move out, and we’ll see what happens.”
Trump then added in reference to Iran, “They can’t have a nuclear weapon, very simple. We’re not going to allow that.”
Uncertainty has been growing in recent days as talks between the US and Iran over its nuclear programme appear to have hit an impasse.
Iran and the US have been locked in a diplomatic standoff over Iran’s uranium enrichment, with Tehran defending it as a “non-negotiable” right and Washington calling it as a “red line.”
Trump had previously expressed optimism about the talks, saying during a Gulf tour last month that Washington was “getting close” to securing a deal.
However, he admitted in a recent interview that he was “less confident” the US and Iran could reach a deal, in response to a question about whether he believed he could stop Tehran enriching uranium.
Iran Accuses US of Fueling Instability
As reports of US embassy staff and dependants departing the Middle East region emerged, Iran’s mission to the United Nations posted on social media that “Iran is not seeking a nuclear weapon, and US militarism only fuels instability.”
“Threats of ‘overwhelming force’ won’t change the facts. Diplomacy – not militarism – is the only path forward.”
Iran’s mission to the United Nations
The US has confirmed that special envoy Steve Witkoff will meet Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Oman on Sunday and discuss the Iranian response to a recent US proposal.
A senior Iranian official told Reuters that a military threat has always been part of the United States’ negotiation tactics with Iran.
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