Trump Moves US Staff from Middle East as Iran Talks Stall
Rabat – US President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that the United States is moving some of its personnel out of the Middle East due to growing tensions over Iran's nuclear program, with a stark warning that the country must never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon.
The announcement comes as nuclear talks between Washington and Tehran remain stalled. Iran has warned that if a conflict breaks out, it will target US military bases across the region.
'We've given notice to move out and we'll see what happens,' Trump told reporters in Washington. 'They can't have a nuclear weapon. Very simple. We're not going to allow that.'
According to US officials, embassy staff in Iraq are being reduced due to security concerns, with reports suggesting personnel are also being moved from Kuwait and Bahrain.
This move comes amid concerns that Israel may soon carry out airstrikes on Iran's nuclear sites. Trump said he has urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to hold off on any action to give diplomacy more time, but he also said his patience is wearing thin.
Iran responded strongly, threatening to strike US bases in the region if attacked.
'All its bases are within our reach … and without hesitation we will target all of them in the host countries,' said Iranian Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh.
Iran's top diplomat, Abbas Araghchi, is expected to meet US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff in Oman on Sunday to discuss a response to Washington's latest proposal for a nuclear deal.
Since returning to office in January, Trump has re-launched his 'maximum pressure' campaign on Iran, warning of military action if talks fail.
This isn't the first time tensions between the two countries have led to threats of violence in recent years. In 2020, after a US strike killed top Iranian general Qassem Soleimani, Iran fired missiles at US bases in Iraq.
The US still has many military bases in the Middle East, including its largest in Qatar. The UK's Maritime Trade Operations has advised ships to be careful when passing through the Gulf due to the risk of conflict.
The main issue in the talks is Iran's uranium enrichment. Iran is currently enriching uranium at a rate 60% much higher than the 3.67% allowed under the 2015 nuclear deal. Although 60% is still below weapons-grade (90%), it has still put Iran on a high-alert watch for Western nations.
Tehran insists its program is for peaceful use, but the US says this level of enrichment is unacceptable.
The US initiated a proposal during multiple talks on the issue, but Iran has criticized it for not including relief from harsh economic sanctions, which have severely hurt its economy, and says it will soon present a counter-proposal.
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