US personnel evacuated from Middle East amid escalating tensions

The United States on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, said it is initiating a partial evacuation of its embassy in Iraq and has authorized the voluntary departure of dependants of U.S. personnel from several countries in the Middle East.

These include Bahrain, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates, amid escalating regional security concerns.

According to a statement released on Wednesday by U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has approved the optional departure of military dependants in the region.

CENTCOM also noted that it is closely monitoring rising tensions, particularly as diplomatic relations between Washington and Tehran appear increasingly strained.

The U.S. Department of State emphasized that the order for nonessential personnel to leave the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad,  which had already been operating with reduced staffing, was issued as part of a broader commitment to ensuring the safety of American citizens and officials both domestically and abroad.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday evening, President Donald Trump confirmed the evacuation measures.

He explained that the decision to pull some staff from U.S. missions in the region came in response to the increasingly volatile security environment.

“We’ve given notice to move out, and we’ll see what happens,” Trump said.

He added a warning about Iran’s nuclear ambitions:

“They can’t have a nuclear weapon.

“Very simple. We’re not going to allow that.”

Tensions have grown in recent days, largely due to a deadlock in negotiations between the U.S. and Iran over the latter’s nuclear program.

The breakdown in talks has led to increased concerns about potential military conflict or retaliatory actions.

Late Wednesday, CBS News reported that U.S. officials had received intelligence indicating Israel is prepared to conduct a military strike on Iran, should diplomatic efforts fail.

The report also said Washington is preparing for the possibility that Iran might respond by attacking American interests in neighboring Iraq.

Al Jazeera’s Alan Fisher, reporting from Washington, D.C., noted that the situation has prompted high-level consultations between U.S. military leaders and the Trump administration.

“Donald Trump has in the last couple of days expressed his concern that a deal might not be able to be done,” Fisher explained.

In light of these developments, the U.S. has initiated a partial evacuation of its Baghdad embassy, moving non-military and non-essential staff out of the region.

Fisher also pointed out that similar measures were taken in the past due to fears that the embassy could become a target for Iran-aligned militias operating within Iraq.

He further suggested that the current evacuation might be a strategic move by the U.S. to apply pressure on Iran during nuclear negotiations.

“You will remember,” he said, “that Donald Trump has indicated if no agreement is reached, military action remains a possibility.”

As news of the evacuation spread, Iran’s mission to the United Nations issued a public statement rejecting accusations about its nuclear intentions.

Through a social media post, the mission reiterated that Iran is not pursuing nuclear weapons.

It also criticized the U.S. for adopting a militarized stance, stating that American aggression only contributes to instability in the region.

“Threats of ‘overwhelming force’ won’t change the facts,” the mission declared, adding, “Diplomacy, not militarism, is the only path forward.”

Meanwhile, Iran’s Defense Minister, General Aziz Nasirzadeh, echoed a similar sentiment but also issued a warning.

Speaking to reporters, he expressed hope that diplomatic negotiations would yield a positive outcome.

However, he emphasized that Iran is prepared to respond to any military action.

“If conflict is imposed on us, the opponent’s casualties will certainly be more than ours,” he said, warning that all American bases in the region are within Iran’s strike range, and Tehran would not hesitate to target them if provoked.

The next round of negotiations between the U.S. and Iran, the sixth so far, is reportedly scheduled to take place in Oman this weekend.

Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, is still expected to attend these discussions as diplomatic efforts continue amidst growing tensions.US

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