Non-essential personnel to leave Middle East amid tensions with Iran
The U.S. embassy is in a heavily fortified Green Zone in central Baghdad, Iraq, on Dec. 19, 2019. Non-essential personnel at the embassy are being withdrawn amid tensions in the Middle East. Photo by Ahmed Jalil/EPA-EFE
June 11 (UPI) -- The U.S. State and Defense departments on Wednesday are arranging the departure of non-essential personnel from the Middle East amid reports Israel is ready to strike Iran.
CBS News reported U.S. anticipates Iran could retaliate on certain American sites in neighboring Iraq, including Baghdad, if Israel hits nuclear facilities.
A defense official told CNN that U.S. Central Command is monitoring "developing tension in the Middle East."
The Trump administration is continuing to pursue a new nuclear deal on uranium encirclement with Iran, and the war between Israel and Hamas is continuing on the Gaza Strip. Iran is providing support to the militants.
Israel, which has opposed a nuclear deal involving Iran, has conducted "countless overt and covert operations" to counter the growth of Iran's uranium enrichment program, according to Prime Minister's Benjamin Netanyahu's office in April.
Last month, U.S. President Trump said he urged Netanyahu not to strike Iran during negotiations with the nation.
"I told him this would be inappropriate to do right now because we're very close to a solution," Trump said.
Trump was asked Wednesday about a heightened situation while arriving at the Kennedy Center event.
"They are being moved out because it could be a dangerous place, and we'll see what happens," Trump told reporters. "But they have been or we've given notice to move out, and we'll see what happens."
U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has authorized the voluntary departure of military dependents throughout the Middle East. About 2,500 U.S. troops are based in Iraq.
"The safety and security of our service members and their families remains our highest priority, the CENTCON official told CNN.
The State Department also is preparing to evacuate non-essential personnel from the U.S. embassies in Iraq, Bahrain and Kuwait. Sources told CNN it's because of increased security risks in the region.
"President Trump is committed to keeping Americans safe, both at home and abroad," a State Department official said. "In keeping with that commitment, we are constantly assessing the appropriate personnel posture at all our embassies. Based on our latest analysis, we decided to reduce the footprint of our Mission in Iraq."
The British Maritime Trade Organization on Wednesday advised ships to exercise caution in the Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz and Gulf of Oman, which are waterways for the global oil trade, because of "increased tensions within the region which could lead to an escalation of military activity."
Hegseth told members of a Senate committee on Wednesday that there are "plenty of indications" that Iran was "moving their way towards something that would look a lot like a nuclear weapon."
Iran has enriched 408.6 kilograms of uranium, or 900 pounds, up to 60% purity - which is very close to the 90% enrichment level required to build a nuclear weapon, the International Atomic Energy Agency estimated two weeks ago.
That's a nearly 50% increase since February, the U.N. agency estimated.
Iranian leaders have said they won't accept Trump's demand of no uranium enrichment.
Trump's Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, still plans to meet with Iran for a sixth round of talks.
Last month, CNN reported the U.S. had obtained new intelligence that Israel was making preparations to strike Iranian nuclear facilities.
Israeli Defense Forces struck military targets in Iran twice in 2024.
Iran's state-run IRNA news agency reported that Iran's Defense Minister, Brig. Gen. Aziz Nasirzadeh said "some officials from the other side have made threatening remarks, warning of potential conflict in case no agreement is reached."
He noted the U.S. won't have any choice because its bases are within the reach of the Iranian military and Iran will not hesitate to target all of them in their host countries.
In 2015, former President Barack Obama and other nations struck a deal with Iran limiting the scope of the country's uranium enrichment program. But Trump ended the agreement during his first term and increased sanctions against Iran.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
18 minutes ago
- Yahoo
New York Civil Liberties Union slams DOJ over ICE lawsuit
MANHATTAN (PIX11) — The New York Civil Liberties Union is slamming the U.S. Department of Justice for its lawsuit against New York's Protect Our Courts Act. 'The Trump administration's attack on the Protect Our Courts Act is a blatant assault on justice that would turn New York's courthouses into traps,' Executive Director Donna Lieberman said. 'Our legal system cannot function when people are too scared to step through courthouse doors. Without the Protect Our Courts Act, immigrant New Yorkers may not defend themselves against charges, avoid seeking protective orders, miss custody hearings, and stop fighting unlawful wage theft or eviction. No one is better off when justice is denied.' More Local News New York State Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages, who sponsored the Protect Our Courts Act, told PIX 11 News 'This lawsuit is a shameful display of federal overreach and political cruelty. They're using taxpayer dollars to uphold a law that upholds due process and the human rights of people and I think its really despicable.' Attorney General Pamela Bondi said, 'Lawless sanctuary city policies are the root cause of the violence that Americans have seen in California, and New York State is similarly employing sanctuary city policies to prevent illegal aliens from apprehension.' Bondi added, 'This latest lawsuit in a series of sanctuary city litigation underscores the Department of Justice's commitment to keeping Americans safe and aggressively enforcing the law.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Boston Globe
24 minutes ago
- Boston Globe
Israeli strikes on Iran lead to new test of Trump's ability to deliver on ‘America first' agenda
Advertisement 'Israel advised us that they believe this action was necessary for its self-defense,' Rubio said in a statement. 'President Trump and the Administration have taken all necessary steps to protect our forces and remain in close contact with our regional partners. Let me be clear: Iran should not target U.S. interests or personnel.' Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up As Israel stepped up planning for strikes in recent weeks, however, Iran, had signaled that the United States would be held responsible in the event of an Israeli attack. The warning was issued by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi even as he engaged in talks with Trump special envoy Steve Witkoff over Tehran's rapidly advancing nuclear program. On Thursday, just hours before the strikes, Trump made the case that there was still time for diplomacy — but it was running out. The White House had even planned to dispatch Witkoff to Oman on Sunday for the next round of talks with Araghchi. It wasn't immediately clear how the strikes would affect plans for those discussions. Advertisement Trump is set to meet with his National Security Council in the Situation Room on Friday to discuss the tricky path ahead. Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., offered rare words of Democratic praise for the Trump administration after the attack 'for prioritizing diplomacy' and 'refraining from participating in tonight's actions.' But he also expressed deep concern about what the Israeli strikes could mean for U.S. personnel in the region. Iranian officials made clear that they intended to retaliate with decisive action after the Israeli strikes targeted Iran's main enrichment facility in Natanz and the country's ballistic missile program, as well as top nuclear scientists and officials. 'I cannot understand why Israel would launch a preemptive strike at this juncture, knowing high level diplomatic discussions between the United States and Iran are scheduled for this weekend,' Kaine said. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., said the U.S. Senate 'stands ready to work with President Trump and with our allies in Israel to restore peace in the region and, first and foremost, to defend the American people from Iranian aggression, especially our troops and civilians serving overseas.' Trump in the hours before the attack still appeared hopeful that there would be more time for diplomacy. The president, in an exchange with reporters, again urged Iran to negotiate a deal. He warned that a 'massive conflict' could occur in the Middle East without it. He later took to social media to emphasize that his 'entire Administration has been directed to negotiate with Iran.' Advertisement As long as there was a chance for an agreement, Trump said of Israel, 'I don't want them going in because I think it would blow it.' But it was clear to the administration that Israel was edging toward taking military action against Iran. The State Department on Wednesday directed a voluntary evacuation of nonessential personnel and their families from some U.S. diplomatic outposts in the Middle East. 'I don't want to be the one that didn't give any warning, and missiles are flying into their buildings. It's possible. So I had to do it,' Trump explained. Before Israel launched the strikes, some of Trump's strongest supporters were raising concerns about what another expansive conflict in the Mideast could mean for the Republican president who ran on a promise to quickly end the brutal wars in Gaza and Ukraine. Trump has struggled to find an endgame to either of those conflicts and to make good on two of his biggest foreign policy campaign promises. And after criticizing President Joe Biden during last year's campaign for preventing Israel from carrying out strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, Trump found himself making the case to the Israelis to give diplomacy a chance. The push by the Trump administration to persuade Tehran to give up its nuclear program came after the U.S. and other world powers in 2015 reached a long-term, comprehensive nuclear agreement that limited Tehran's enrichment of uranium in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions. But Trump unilaterally withdrew the U.S. from the Obama-administration brokered agreement in 2018, calling it the 'worst deal ever.' The way forward is even more clouded now. Advertisement 'No issue currently divides the right as much as foreign policy,' Charlie Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA and an ally of the Trump White House, posted on X Thursday. 'I'm very concerned based on (everything) I've seen in the grassroots the last few months that this will cause a massive schism in MAGA and potentially disrupt our momentum and our insanely successful Presidency.' Jack Posobiec, another prominent Trump supporter, warned a 'direct strike on Iran right now would disastrously split the Trump coalition.' 'Trump smartly ran against starting new wars, this is what the swing states voted for — the midterms are not far and Congress' majority is already razor-thin,' Posobiec added in a posting on X. Rosemary Kelanic, director of the Middle East program at Defense Priorities, said the job ahead for Trump and his team is to protect U.S. forces who are highly vulnerable to Iranian retaliation. 'Israel's strike on Iran must not become the United States' war,' Kelanic said. 'The U.S. public overwhelmingly opposes another military engagement in the Middle East for good reason — an open-ended military campaign in Iran would risk repeating the catastrophic mistakes of the 2003 war in Iraq, which inadvertently strengthened Tehran's influence there.' ___ AP Congressional Correspondent Lisa Mascaro contributed reporting.
Yahoo
25 minutes ago
- Yahoo
'No Kings' protests: What to know about the June 14 rallies against Trump
Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images No Kings Day protest at the Capitol Reflection Pool on Presidents Day, Washington DC, February 2025 This Saturday, June 14, is set to be the largest mass protest of President Donald Trump's second term so far. June 14 is a notable day for many reasons. In the United States, the day is known as Flag Day, commemorating the adoption of the U.S. flag on that day in 1777. It's the anniversary of the Army's founding, which will have happened 250 years ago this year. It's Donald Trump's 79th birthday. It will also be marked by the largest mass mobilization of protests and rallies since Trump's second term started in January. In celebration of Flag Day, the Army's anniversary, and his birthday, Trump has planned a large-scale military parade for Saturday through the streets of Washington, D.C. The parade will reportedly include over 6,000 soldiers, 49 aircraft, and 128 vehicles, including tanks, 25 horses, two mules, and a dog in "a spectacular military parade in Washington, D.C., like no other," according to an Instagram video posted by Trump. That won't be the only significant event that day. Across the country, and in a few places in Mexico and Canada, people are organizing No Kings protests and rallies in response to what many see as an increase in authoritarian power grabs and overreach from the current administration. Over 2,000 No Kings protests and rallies are scheduled for June 14. Here's what you should know about them. DOMINIC GWINN/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images No Kings Day protest in front of the Capitol building on Presidents Day, Washington DC, February 2025 The No Kings movement is in direct response to actions taken by the Trump administration that many see as corrupt, authoritarian, and morally wrong. "They've defied our courts, deported Americans, disappeared people off the streets, attacked our civil rights, and slashed our services," the movement's website reads. "The corruption has gone too far. No thrones. No crowns. No kings." The protests are being held on the June 14 to counterbalance Trump's military parade in Washington, D.C., which is seen by many as another sign of his administration's excess and corruption. Organizers are calling for the protests to be peaceful. "No Kings is a nationwide day of defiance," the website says. "From city blocks to small towns, from courthouse steps to community parks, we're taking action to reject authoritarianism — and show the world what democracy really looks like." Michael Siluk/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images Hands Off Rally, St. Paul, Minnesota, April 2025 While the No Kings protests aren't directly related to the anti-ICE protests over recent immigration raids in Los Angeles and surrounding areas, the raids are an important issue to the movement. "Whether you're outraged by attacks on civil rights, skyrocketing costs, abductions and disappearances, the gutting of essential services, or the assault on free speech — this moment is for you," the website says, referencing mass arrests made by ICE agents in workplace raids in areas like the LA Fashion District. Jim West/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images No Kings Day protest on Presidents Day, Detroit, Michigan, February 2025 There are over 2,000 No Kings protests planned across the United States, with a few also scheduled to take place in Canada and Mexico. To find out where the closest one is, check out the movement's map. Jeremy Hogan/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images 50501 Movement protest, Indianapolis, Indiana, April 2025 Trump will be in Washington, D.C., celebrating his birthday with a large military parade, something he has wanted to do since his first term as president. DOMINIC GWINN/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images Fox News coverage protest, Washington, D.C., June 2025 No, there will not be a No Kings protest in the nation's capital. According to the movement's website, it is avoiding Washington, D.C., because that is where Trump's parade will be. "Instead of allowing this birthday parade to be the center of gravity, we will make action everywhere else the story of America that day: people coming together in communities across the country to reject strongman politics and corruption," it says. Instead, No Kings is hosting a large march and rally in Philadelphia in an attempt "to draw a clear contrast between our people-powered movement and the costly, wasteful, and un-American birthday parade in Washington." Erin Clark/The Boston Globe via Getty Images No Kings rally at Hancock Adams Common, Quincy, MA, April 2025 Trump has said that he has no patience for anyone who wants to protest the parade in the capital. "If there's any protester that wants to come out, they will be met with very big force," Trump said, per NBC News. "I haven't even heard about a protest, but you know, this is people that hate our country, but they will be met with very heavy force."
