The US is recalling its personnel from the Middle East amid rising tensions with Iran as President Donald Trump said the region “could be a dangerous place” and added that Washington would not allow Tehran to have a nuclear weapon.
On Wednesday, Reuters reported — quoting sources for the US and Iraq — that the US is preparing a partial evacuation of its Iraqi embassy and will allow military dependents to leave locations around the Middle East due to escalated security risks in the region.
However, what security risks prompted the decision was not specified but reports of the potential inflated the oil prices by more than 4 per cent.
The US has also authorised voluntary departures from Bahrain and Kuwait, said the State Department, as per the report.
US Advisory For Its Personnel
On Wednesday, the State Department updated its worldwide travel advisory to reflect the latest US posture. “On June 11, the Department of State ordered the departure of non-emergency U.S. government personnel due to heightened regional tensions,” the advisory stated.
The decision by the US comes at a volatile moment in the region amid Trump’s efforts to reach a nuclear deal with Iran appeared to be in a deadlock. At the same time, US intelligence hinted that Israel has been making preparations for a strike against Iran’s nuclear facilities.
‘Could Be A Dangerous Place’
Speaking to reporters, Trump said the personnel are “being moved out because it could be a dangerous place, and we’ll see what happens,” Trump told reporters. “We’ve given notice to move out.”
On being asked if anything could be done to lower the tensions in the region, he said, “They can’t have a nuclear weapon. Very simple, they can’t have a nuclear weapon.”
Meanwhile, Iran has threatened to retaliate if it was subjected to strikes. Iranian Defence Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh warned that Iran would strike bases in the region if hit with strikes.
