US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that American staff were being moved out of the Middle East because the region could be dangerous. He also said the US would not let Iran develop a nuclear weapon.
Earlier the same day, Reuters reported that the US was planning to partly evacuate its embassy in Iraq and allow the families of military personnel to leave certain places in the Middle East, due to rising security threats. This information was obtained from sources in both the United States and Iraq.

Four US and two Iraqi sources did not explain what specific threats led to the US decision to move some of its staff. However, news of the possible evacuation caused oil prices to rise by over 4%. A US official said that the State Department had allowed voluntary departures from Bahrain and Kuwait as well.

Later on Wednesday, the US State Department updated its global travel warning. It said that on June 11, non-emergency US government staff were ordered to leave because of rising tensions in the region. This move comes at a tense time. Talks between the US and Iran over a nuclear deal seem to have stalled, and US intelligence suggests that Israel might be preparing to attack Iran’s nuclear sites. Trump told reporters, “They are being moved out because it could be a dangerous place, and we'll see what happens. We've given notice to move out.”

When asked if anything could be done to ease the situation, Trump replied, “They can't have a nuclear weapon. Very simple, they can't have a nuclear weapon.” Trump also warned that the US might attack Iran if nuclear talks fail. He also said he’s losing hope that Iran will stop enriching uranium, a key US demand. In response, Iran’s defence minister warned that any attack would lead to strikes on US bases in the region.

The US Embassy in Kuwait said it’s fully operational. However, the US is allowing military families, especially in Bahrain, to leave the region due to rising tensions. Some staff may also be ordered to leave the US embassy in Baghdad, though Iraq says there’s no security threat requiring evacuation. US bases in Qatar and other locations continue to operate as normal.

Oil prices jumped over $3 on news of the possible evacuation. Meanwhile, the UK warned that rising tensions could affect shipping near Iran and advised vessels to stay cautious in the region.Israel and Iran exchanged direct fire twice last year, with missiles crossing Iraqi airspace. Israel also targeted Iran-linked groups in Iraq and Syria.

The US recently increased its military presence in the region but has since scaled back. New US-Iran nuclear talks are expected soon after Iran rejected a US offer.

Britain is monitoring the situation and reviewing its embassy presence in Iraq. Iraq hosts 2,500 US troops and has ties with both the US and Iran. Pro-Iran groups had attacked US forces after the Gaza war, but tensions have eased. Iran warned of serious consequences if attacked, saying it doesn't seek nuclear weapons. US General Kurilla, who gave the president military options on Iran, postponed testimony due to tensions.