The United States has initiated partial evacuations of diplomatic personnel and military dependents across the Middle East as regional tensions with Iran escalate, triggering a 4% surge in global oil prices. U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed the moves on Wednesday, stating personnel were being withdrawn because the region 'could be a dangerous place.'
According to U.S. and Iraqi sources, non-emergency staff at the U.S. Embassy in Iraq are being evacuated, while voluntary departures have been authorized for personnel in Bahrain and Kuwait. The State Department updated its global travel advisory late Wednesday to reflect 'heightened regional tensions,' though the Kuwait embassy maintains it remains fully operational.
Trump emphasized that Washington 'will not allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon,' signaling stalled negotiations over Tehran's uranium enrichment program. U.S. intelligence reports suggest Israel is preparing potential strikes against Iranian nuclear facilities, while Iranian Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh warned of retaliatory attacks on U.S. bases if provoked.
Britain’s maritime agency issued warnings to vessels navigating the Gulf, Gulf of Oman, and Strait of Hormuz – critical chokepoints bordering Iran – urging caution amid rising military posturing. Analysts note the evacuations mark a volatile phase in Middle East security, with implications for energy markets and global supply chains.
