The U.S. embassy in Iraq is preparing to evacuate over heightened security risks, seemingly stemming from a potential conflict with Iran.
According to Reuters, multiple U.S. and Iraqi sources confirmed the decision without identifying the reasoning for the imminent partial evacuation.
In recent weeks, the Washington administration has been concerned that Israel is preparing a strike on Iran despite ongoing negotiations on Tehran's nuclear program. Axios reported earlier, citing sources, that US President Donald Trump told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a telephone conversation on June 9 to refrain from any action that could hinder the negotiations.
Trump spoke about Iran at an appearance at the Kennedy Center on Wednesday, telling reporters Americans were advised to leave the region "because it could be a dangerous place, and we'll see what happens".
Trump also reiterated that the US did not want Iran to develop a nuclear weapon: "We're not going to allow that."
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U.S. State Department is also reportedly preparing to order the evacuation of non-essential personnel and family members from the embassies in Bahrain and Kuwait, according to the Associated Press.
ReplyDeleteOn Wednesday evening at the Kennedy Center, President Donald Trump explained that the embassy is being “moved out” from the Middle East “because it could be a dangerous place,” indicating a potential military exchange with Iran.
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth also approved the voluntary departure of families of American military personnel from countries across the Middle East, including Kuwait and Bahrain, Reuters news agency reported.
ReplyDeleteTestifying in front of a congressional panel on Wednesday, the Pentagon said he believed there were "plenty of indications" that Iran was "moving their way towards something that would look a lot like a nuclear weapon".
Iran says its uranium enrichment programme is for civilian energy generation and that it is not trying to build an atomic bomb.
Also on Wednesday, the UK's Maritime Trade Operations organisation - part of the Royal Navy - issued a warning saying that increased military tensions in the Middle East could affect shipping.
ReplyDeletePresident Donald Trump said on Wednesday the US was relocating personnel from the potentially "dangerous" Middle East as nuclear talks with Iran stalled, raising conflict fears. He vowed to prevent an Iranian nuclear weapon amid speculation of Israeli strikes. Tehran threatened to target US bases if conflict erupts.
ReplyDeleteIran threatened Wednesday to target US military bases in the region if conflict breaks out.
ReplyDeleteIran warned it would respond to any attack.
ReplyDelete"All its bases are within our reach, we have access to them, and without hesitation we will target all of them in the host countries," Iran's Defence Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh said in response to US threats of military action if the talks fail.
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has authorized "the voluntary departure" of US military dependents from the Middle East due to security issues, a representative of US military circles told TASS.
ReplyDelete"The safety and security of our service members and their families remains our highest priority and US Central Command (CENTCOM) is monitoring the developing tension in the Middle East. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has authorized the voluntary departure of military dependents from locations across the CENTCOM area of responsibility," the official said.