Trump Orders US Military and Diplomatic Pullback From Middle East Amid Iran Tensions
US President Donald Trump announced that U.S. government and military personnel are being withdrawn from parts of the Middle East—including Iraq, Bahrain, and Kuwait—citing the region’s escalating volatility. The move follows a spike in regional tensions tied to stalled nuclear negotiations with Iran and intelligence pointing to possible military strikes by Israel on Iranian facilities.
The evacuations include an ordered departure for non-emergency staff from the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, alongside voluntary departures for military families in Bahrain and Kuwait. The U.S. is also preparing partial evacuations at its Iraqi embassy and has up to 2,500 troops remaining in-country.
The State Department issued a worldwide travel advisory, warning of heightened regional risks. Meanwhile, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth approved withdrawal of military dependents, especially from Bahrain. At the same time, core military operations—such as those at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar—continue unaffected.
Trump emphasized the decision’s rationale during a press briefing: “They are being moved out because it could be a dangerous place…We’ve given notice to move out.” He also reaffirmed his administration’s stance to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.
Oil prices responded sharply, with Brent crude jumping over 4%—rising by about USD 3 per barrel—after news of the evacuation surfaced. Brent is trading just under USD 70, while U.S. crude also climbed.
Internationally, Britain has issued maritime advisories urging caution in the Gulf, Gulf of Oman, and Strait of Hormuz, citing potential military escalations. The UK Foreign Office is monitoring the situation, stating it will continually reassess its embassy presence in Baghdad.
Iranian Defence Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh warned of direct retaliation against U.S. bases if military action is taken. Iran’s UN mission, meanwhile, asserted that Tehran seeks no nuclear arms and condemned U.S. militarism as destabilizing.
The security measures come amid a stalemate in U.S.–Iran nuclear diplomacy. The sixth round of talks in Oman appears unlikely to proceed, and Trump has reportedly expressed waning optimism about reaching an agreement.
This development marks the latest escalation in a region already roiled by drone warfare, proxy confrontations, and memories of US–Iran clashes, including the 2020 killing of IRGC commander Qasem Soleimani. With U.S. troop levels and economic interests on the line, the situation demands close monitoring as Washington recalibrates its regional posture.
