U.S. Evacuates Embassy Staff From Middle East Amid Tensions With Iran

The United States has initiated the evacuation of non-essential personnel from its diplomatic missions and military bases across West Asia, amid escalating tensions with Iran and a continued stalemate in nuclear negotiations. Both the State Department and the Department of Defence confirmed the move on Wednesday, citing growing regional instability and security concerns.

At the centre of this partial drawdown is the US Embassy in Baghdad, where the State Department has authorized the departure of staff not considered essential to ongoing operations. Simultaneously, US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth has permitted the voluntary departure of military dependents stationed throughout the region. Personnel at US embassies in Bahrain and Kuwait have also been placed on standby for potential relocation, according to sources from both the US and Iraq.

This development follows a breakdown in nuclear talks with Tehran, which has raised fears of a possible armed confrontation. Iranian Defence Ministry officials have issued warnings that any failure in negotiations could result in US military assets in the region becoming targets. The already tense atmosphere has been further aggravated by US intelligence assessments, which reportedly suggest that Israel is preparing for a potential strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities.

In response to these reports, President Trump has appealed to Israel to avoid any preemptive military action, stressing the importance of allowing diplomatic efforts to continue. Washington remains focused on reviving the nuclear deal, despite the mounting regional pressure.

The situation has also begun to impact global markets. According to Reuters, the news of the partial evacuation and heightened security concerns has led to a more than four per cent increase in global oil prices, reflecting growing fears over regional instability. A senior US official confirmed that voluntary departures have been approved for American diplomatic missions in Bahrain and Kuwait, signaling the seriousness with which the US is treating the evolving crisis.