The United States has begun withdrawing nonessential diplomatic staff and military dependents from key locations across West Asia, citing the risk of regional instability and escalating tensions with Iran over its nuclear programme.

The State Department announced on June 11, 2025, that all nonessential personnel at the US Embassy in Baghdad are being ordered to depart immediately. While the embassy had already been operating with limited staffing, the move is seen as a precautionary response to recent developments in the region.

In addition to Iraq, the US is also authorising the departure of nonessential personnel and family members from Bahrain and Kuwait, giving them the option to leave at government expense and receive logistical support.

Meanwhile, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has approved the voluntary departure of military families from several locations under the US Central Command, which oversees military operations in the region. The Command said it is closely monitoring the growing tension in the Middle East.

White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly confirmed these decisions, noting they were made as part of a regular review of personnel safety abroad.

Amid this climate of uncertainty, General Erik Kurilla, the top US military official for the region, was scheduled to appear before the Senate Armed Services Committee on June 12, but his testimony has been postponed. The Pentagon did not immediately explain the reason.

This series of developments comes as US-Iran nuclear talks appear to have stalled. The negotiations, aimed at limiting Iran's nuclear activities in exchange for lifting harsh economic sanctions, were expected to resume for a sixth round in Oman this weekend. However, two US officials have now said the talks are unlikely to proceed as planned.

President Donald Trump, speaking on the Pod Force One podcast on June 11, expressed deep scepticism about reaching an agreement with Tehran. He said he is getting more and more less confident about a deal, suggesting that Iran is dragging its feet. Trump reiterated that the US or Israel could carry out airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities if negotiations fail.

In response, Iran’s mission to the United Nations said that such threats will not alter the facts. It asserted that Iran is not seeking nuclear weapons and that continued militarism by the US only fuels instability.

Iranian Defence Minister General Aziz Nasirzadeh also issued a stern warning on June 11. He expressed hope that the nuclear talks would be productive but warned that if a conflict is imposed on Iran, the US and its regional bases would be targeted without hesitation.

He stated that all American military bases in host countries are within Iran’s reach and that Iran is fully prepared to respond decisively if attacked.

Amid these escalating threats, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors is reportedly preparing to vote on a measure to censure Iran. If passed, it could trigger the reinstatement of United Nations sanctions under the still-active 2015 nuclear deal, from which Trump withdrew during his first term.

Earlier on June 11, the United Kingdom’s Maritime Trade Operations Centre, which operates under the British Navy in West Asia, issued a security alert to shipping vessels. It warned of possible military escalation and advised caution in the Persian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, and the Strait of Hormuz—strategic waterways often affected by Iranian maritime actions.

Although the advisory did not mention Iran directly, past tensions and ship seizures in the region have typically involved Iranian forces.

Meanwhile, the Iraqi government attempted to downplay the evacuation order in a statement carried by the Iraqi News Agency. It said that the US decision was part of broader adjustments across the region and not a reflection of deteriorating conditions in Iraq.

The unnamed Iraqi official stressed that there were no current security indicators suggesting danger in Baghdad, and that local intelligence assessments continued to support the view that internal security and stability are improving.

As tensions mount, the latest developments underscore the fragile geopolitical environment in West Asia, with the potential for rapid escalation. The US move to scale down its diplomatic and military footprint signals a desire to reduce exposure amid uncertainty.

However, these actions could also be interpreted by adversaries and allies alike as a sign of a more aggressive posture or an early stage in potential conflict escalation.

While President Trump maintains that military intervention remains an option if diplomacy fails, Iranian leaders appear equally prepared for confrontation, raising concerns over a larger regional fallout that could impact oil trade, global shipping, and political stability across the Middle East.

The coming days will be critical in determining whether diplomatic efforts can resume and succeed, or whether both sides continue along a trajectory of confrontation that could plunge the region into yet another crisis.

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