Reports suggest Washington fears Israel might attack Iranian nuclear sites independently.
Amid rising tensions with Iran, the United States has begun a partial evacuation of its embassies and military facilities in the Middle East, removing non-essential staff and their families.
This action follows President Trump’s claim that Tehran is deliberately delaying negotiations.
The State Department stated in an email to the media on Wednesday that the decision to reduce the presence of the US Mission in Iraq was based on their latest assessment. Reuters reported that a US official said authorized voluntary departures were also authorized from the embassies in Kuwait and Bahrain.
The Pentagon has also authorized family members to leave military installations in the region. A defense official informed reporters that CENTCOM is working closely with the State Department, allies, and partners in the region to maintain readiness for various missions worldwide.
According to the Washington Post, US intelligence officials are concerned that Israel might launch an attack on Iranian nuclear facilities without US approval. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office previously dismissed reports that Israel was discussing potential strikes with Trump as “fake news.”
In a New York Post interview aired on Wednesday, Trump expressed diminished confidence in reaching a deal with Iran after five rounds of Omani-mediated negotiations failed to yield progress. He reiterated his desire for complete dismantlement of Iran’s nuclear program, a demand Tehran has consistently rejected.
The Iranian mission to the UN stated on X that Iran is not pursuing nuclear weapons, and US militarism only exacerbates instability. Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh warned that Iran would target all US bases in the region without hesitation if attacked.
Trump withdrew the US from the 2015 UN-backed nuclear agreement during his first term, accusing Iran of secretly violating its terms. Tehran has denied these accusations but has since reduced its commitments and increased its enriched uranium stockpile.
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