Key points
- Pete Hegseth approves military dependants’ exit from region
- US orders all non-essential embassy staff out of Baghdad
- They can’t have a nuclear weapon: Trump
- Iran rejects nuclear aims, calls for diplomacy over militarism
ISLAMABAD: The United States is preparing a partial evacuation of its embassy in Iraq and has authorised the voluntary departure of dependants of US personnel from several Middle Eastern countries, including Bahrain, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates, amid rising regional security concerns.
US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced on Wednesday that Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth had approved the departure of military dependants in the region. CENTCOM stated it was closely monitoring the escalating tensions, according to Al Jazeera.
The US State Department confirmed that all non-essential staff were ordered to leave the US Embassy in Baghdad, which was already operating with limited personnel. The move was made to prioritise the safety of Americans both domestically and abroad.
Decision to evacuate
Speaking on Wednesday evening, US President Donald Trump explained that the decision to evacuate staff was due to the region being potentially dangerous. “We’ll see what happens. We’ve given notice to move out, and we’ll see what happens,” he said.
Regarding Iran, Trump emphasised: “They can’t have a nuclear weapon, very simple. We’re not going to allow that.”
Tensions have increased recently as negotiations between the US and Iran over Tehran’s nuclear programme appear to have stalled.
US broadcaster CBS reported late on Wednesday that officials had been informed Israel is “fully ready” to strike Iran. Washington anticipates Tehran could retaliate by targeting certain American sites in Iraq.
Iran’s response
Iran’s mission to the United Nations responded on social media, stating that “Iran is not seeking a nuclear weapon, and US militarism only fuels instability.” They urged that “diplomacy – not militarism – is the only path forward.”
Threats of “overwhelming force” won’t change facts:
Iran is not seeking a nuclear weapon, and U.S. militarism only fuels instability.CENTCOM’s legacy of fueling regional instability, through arming aggressors and enabling Israeli crimes, strips it of any credibility to speak on…
— I.R.IRAN Mission to UN, NY (@Iran_UN) June 11, 2025
Separately, Iranian Defence Minister General Aziz Nasirzadeh expressed hope for successful talks but warned Tehran was prepared to respond to any aggression. He declared that should conflict arise, American forces would suffer greater losses and must withdraw, as all US bases in the region are within Iran’s reach.
Nuclear limits
The sixth round of talks between the US and Iran on nuclear limits and sanctions relief is tentatively scheduled for this weekend in Oman, with Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff expected to attend.
Iran on Wednesday threatened to target the US bases in the region if a conflict breaks out with the United States.
Iran’s Defence Minister Brigadier General Aziz Nasirzadeh said that if the nuclear negotiations fail and conflict is imposed, the adversary will certainly suffer heavier casualties and the US will be forced to leave the region, Iranian state news agency IRNA reported.
“The US will have no choice but to leave the region, as all of its bases are within the reach of Iranian military and they will not hesitate to target all of them in their host countries,” General Nasirzadeh said as quoted by IRNA.
