Key Points
- President Donald Trump orders withdrawal of non-essential US soldiers and diplomats from Iraq, Bahrain, and Kuwait.
- Move comes amid rising fears of failed nuclear negotiations with Iran and escalating regional tensions.
- US State Department cites safety concerns for American citizens and employees.
- Israel may be preparing to strike Iran’s nuclear facilities, raising risk of conflict.
- Iran urges diplomacy, accuses US of fueling instability in the Middle East.
Washington, D.C.:In a decisive move reflecting mounting fears over the collapse of nuclear negotiations with Iran, President Donald Trump has ordered the withdrawal of non-essential US military personnel and diplomats from key locations in the Middle East.
The Trump administration’s decision targets American staff in Iraq, Bahrain, and Kuwait, and comes at a time when tensions with Iran are at their highest in years. The State Department announced that all non-essential employees at the US Embassy in Baghdad must leave immediately, citing the need to “ensure the safety of American citizens at home and abroad.” The embassy had already been operating with a reduced staff due to ongoing security concerns.
Wider Regional Pullback: Bahrain and Kuwait Also Affected
The withdrawal isn’t limited to Iraq. The State Department has extended voluntary departure privileges to non-essential employees and their families at US consular offices in Bahrain and Kuwait. Those choosing to leave will receive government support for their relocation. The US Central Command confirmed that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has authorized the voluntary departure of military families from the entire region, emphasizing that the situation is under constant review as tensions escalate.
Trump Cites Safety, Warns of Dangerous Times
Speaking at the Kennedy Center in Washington, President Trump explained:
“They are being removed from there because this area can be dangerous. We have issued a notice of departure and now we will see what happens next.”
The President’s remarks reflect deepening concern over Iran’s accelerating nuclear program and the growing possibility that diplomatic efforts may fail, potentially triggering a regional crisis.
Israel Poised for Action as US Steps Back
With the US reducing its presence, speculation has surged that Israel could soon launch strikes against Iranian nuclear facilities. According to multiple media reports, Israel had been preparing for such an operation but held back at Washington’s request, hoping for progress in the nuclear talks. With negotiations now faltering, Israeli military action appears increasingly likely.
Iran Calls for Diplomacy, Blames US Militarism
In response to these developments, Iran’s United Nations Mission has urged a diplomatic resolution, reiterating that Iran does not seek nuclear weapons. The Iranian statement accused the US of “promoting instability” through its military posturing and warned that further escalation would only worsen the situation for the entire region.
With American personnel leaving, the Middle East faces a period of heightened uncertainty. Diplomatic channels remain open, but the risk of military confrontation either between Israel and Iran or involving other regional players has never been higher. The world watches anxiously as the fate of the Iran nuclear talks hangs in the balance, with the potential for conflict looming large.
