US Evacuates Nonessential Staff From Middle East Amid Iran Tensions

Amid escalating tensions with Iran, the United States has initiated the evacuation of nonessential diplomatic personnel from its embassies in Iraq, Bahrain, and Kuwait, along with authorizing the voluntary departure of military dependents from bases across the Middle East. President Trump emphasized his commitment to American safety but expressed growing skepticism about reaching a new nuclear deal with Iran, citing Iran’s firm stance on uranium enrichment. Iran’s Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh threatened attacks on all U.S. bases in the region if conflict arises, underscoring Tehran's advanced missile capabilities. Concurrently, British maritime authorities issued warnings for commercial vessels in the Persian Gulf area due to potential military escalation. While U.S. troops remain stationed at key installations such as Al-Assad air base in Iraq and Naval Forces Central Command in Bahrain, these locations have faced prior Iranian-backed attacks, prompting heightened alert statuses and market reactions including a drop in the S&P 500 and a surge in oil prices. Diplomatic efforts continue cautiously with planned talks in Oman, but the impasse over Iran’s nuclear program persists.