In response to a threat by Iran to attack U.S. bases in the region, the State and Defense Departments have authorized the evacuation of dependents and non-essential staff from embassies and bases in the region, mainly Iraq, Kuwait and Bahrain.
The threat by Iran comes as negotiations between the U.S. and Iran over the fate of Iran’s nuclear program continue, with the U.S. insisting Iran give up enrichment to prevent attainment of nuclear weapons or face military attacks on its nuclear facilities by either the U.S. or Israel.
In an interview earlier this week with Fox News anchor Bret Baier, President Donald Trump said Iran had become more aggressive in the negotiations (excerpt):
President Donald Trump told Fox News that Iran has become “much more aggressive” in nuclear talks.
“Iran is acting much differently in negotiations than it did just days ago,” Trump told Fox News’ Bret Baier. “Much more aggressive. It’s surprising to me. It’s disappointing, but we are set to meet again tomorrow – we’ll see.”
Senior administration officials also told Fox News that Iran appears to be dragging negotiations on without concrete progress while pushing forward with its nuclear efforts.
This comes as Israel is growing more concerned it will have to act unilaterally to prevent Iran from getting a nuclear weapon.
Outgoing Commander of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), General Michael E. Kurilla, testified before the House Armed Services Committee earlier on Tuesday that he had “provided a range of options” to Trump to prevent Iran from going forward with their nuclear proliferation program, “but I am in all favor of having a negotiated settlement that prevents Iran from getting a nuclear weapon because of the consequences of conflict.”
Kurilla told lawmakers that Iran “still remains the number one malign influence in the Middle East” and has doubled its enrichment capacity in the past six months.
Trump also expressed his growing pessimism over an Iran deal in an interview with New York Post reporter Miranda Devine posted Wednesday:
President Trump tells @mirandadevine he doesn’t think Iran wants to make a deal
“it would be nicer to do it without warfare, without people dying…But I don’t think I see the same level of enthusiasm for them to make a deal. I think they would make a mistake” pic.twitter.com/aqAtPnsx8A
— Jim Hanson (@JimHansonDC) June 11, 2025
Trump said on Monday talks with Iran were scheduled for Thursday:
#BREAKING: President Trump says #Iran‘s regime’s thoughts on the U.S. proposal are unacceptable, “they’re just not there.” He reiterates the U.S. position on zero enrichment and says there will be a meeting with them on Thursday. pic.twitter.com/kvmRmflZqH
— Jason Brodsky (@JasonMBrodsky) June 9, 2025
Iran’s government news agency IRNA English reported on the threat issued Wednesday by Defense Minister Brigadier General Aziz Nasirzadeh:
Tehran, IRNA – Defense Minister Brigadier General Aziz Nasirzadeh says if the nuclear negotiations fail and conflict is imposed, the adversary will certainly suffer heavier casualties and the U.S. will be forced to leave the region.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the cabinet session on Wednesday, Nasirzadeh referred to the ongoing indirect nuclear negotiations between Iran and the U.S., noting that unfortunately, some officials from the opposing side have made threatening remarks, warning of potential conflict in case no agreement is reached.
In that case, the U.S. 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, he noted.
Elsewhere in his remarks, Nasirzadeh hailed Iran’s significant achievements in defense and highlighted that just last week, the country successfully tested a missile with a two-ton warhead.
Iran will never accept military limitations and negotiations on this subject are strictly prohibited, he stressed.
AP excerpt on the evacuations:
The United States is drawing down the presence of people who are not deemed essential to operations in the Middle East due to the potential for regional unrest, the State Department and military said Wednesday.
The State Department said it has ordered the departure of all nonessential personnel from the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad based on its latest review and a commitment “to keeping Americans safe, both at home and abroad.” The embassy already had been on limited staffing, and the order will not affect a large number of personnel.
The department, however, also is authorizing the departure of nonessential personnel and family members from Bahrain and Kuwait. That gives them an option on whether to leave those countries.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also “has authorized the voluntary departure of military dependents from locations” across the region, U.S. Central Command said in a statement. The command “is monitoring the developing tension in the Middle East.”
Axios reporter Barak Ravid posted a statement from a Defense Department official on the evacuations, ” Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has authorized the voluntary departure of military dependents from locations across the CENTCOM area of responsibility. CENTCOM is working in close coordination with our Department of State counterparts, as well as our Allies and partners in the region to maintain a constant state of readiness to support any number of missions around the world at any time. The safety and security of our service members and their families remains our highest priority and U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) is monitoring the developing tension in the Middle East/”
U.S. defense official: Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has authorized the voluntary departure of military dependents from locations across the CENTCOM area of responsibility. CENTCOM is working in close coordination with our Department of State counterparts, as well as our…
— Barak Ravid (@BarakRavid) June 11, 2025
GCaptain reported on a maritime warning for shipping in the area (excerpt):
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) office has issued an advisory to shipping warning of potential military escalation in the Arabian Gulf region that could directly impact maritime operations.
In a potential diplomatic breakthrough, Russia has offered to assist by removing highly enriched uranium from Iran and converting it into civilian reactor fuel. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov stated they are prepared to provide both political and practical assistance to Washington and Tehran.
The UKMTO is advising vessels to exercise caution while transiting the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, and Straits of Hormuz, and to report any suspicious activity.
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