United States begins partial withdrawal of personnel from Middle East

Washington responds to escalating regional tensions as nuclear negotiations with Iran stall.
Text: Óscar Ontañón Docal
Published 2025-06-12

The latest news on the United States and Iran. The United States has begun pulling some government staff and military dependents from several Middle Eastern nations, citing growing instability in the region, United States President Donald Trump said on Wednesday.


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"They are being moved out because it could be a dangerous place, and we'll see what happens," Trump told reporters. "We've given notice to move out." Then he added: "They can't have a nuclear weapon. Very simple, they can't have a nuclear weapon."

This follows concerns over Iran's nuclear ambitions and reports of Israeli preparations for potential strikes. Though embassies remain operational, the State Department has updated its global travel advisory, authorising voluntary departures from key locations.

Donald Trump looking at smartphone displaying Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, with U.S. and Iranian flags in background. New York, US- 22 May 2025

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