ISLAMABAD (PEN) : The United States has authorized the voluntary departure of dependents of diplomatic and military personnel from several Middle Eastern countries, as tensions escalate over Iran’s nuclear program and the possibility of regional conflict increases.
CENTCOM Orders Evacuation from Key Gulf States
According to a statement from US Central Command (CENTCOM), Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth approved the measure affecting personnel in Bahrain, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates. Nonessential staff at the US Embassy in Baghdad have also been instructed to leave.
“The safety and security of US personnel remains our top priority,” said the State Department, affirming its continued efforts to protect Americans stationed abroad.
The move comes amid growing fears in Washington that diplomatic talks with Tehran are faltering and that Israel may consider unilateral military action against Iran.
Trump: “They Can’t Have a Nuclear Weapon”
At a press briefing Wednesday evening, President Donald Trump described the move as precautionary but necessary, pointing to Iran’s nuclear ambitions as a critical concern.
“We’ve given notice to move out, and we’ll see what happens,” Trump said. “That region could be a dangerous place. But one thing is very clear — they \[Iran] can’t have a nuclear weapon. Very simple. We’re not going to allow that.”
The announcement follows a series of high-level meetings in Washington involving senior military and diplomatic officials, indicating growing concern about the direction of ongoing negotiations.
Nuclear Talks Continue Amid Military Posturing
Despite the heightened alert, the sixth round of US-Iran nuclear talks is scheduled to take place in Oman later this week, with US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff expected to attend.
Iranian Defence Minister General Aziz Nasirzadeh, speaking at a press conference in Tehran, warned of serious consequences if provoked. “If conflict is imposed on us, the opponent’s casualties will certainly be more than ours,” he said. “America must leave the region, because all its bases are within our reach. We have access to them, and we will target all of them in the host countries without hesitation.”
Analysts Warn of Possible Escalation
Commenting on the significance of the evacuation, Al Jazeera’s Washington correspondent Alan Fisher noted, “This evacuation — particularly from Baghdad — is significant. It signals that either Washington expects hostilities to escalate or is attempting to exert pressure on Tehran by raising the stakes.”
This is not the first time the US has scaled back its presence in Iraq during periods of tension. Similar evacuations occurred when Iran-backed militias were suspected of planning attacks on American assets in the region.
Regional Uncertainty Grows Ahead of Summer
With multiple flashpoints across the Middle East — including Syria, Iraq, and the Persian Gulf — analysts caution that the coming months could be highly volatile. Israeli officials have yet to confirm any potential military plans, but speculation over unilateral action continues.
As diplomatic efforts proceed in parallel with military precautions, the situation remains fluid. The global community is closely watching developments ahead of the upcoming talks and potential policy shifts in Washington and Tehran.
