The United States (U.S.) is reducing the number of non-essential staff in Middle Eastern countries after assessments that tensions in the region have increased because negotiations between Washington and Tehran on the Iranian nuclear program could reach a dead end, according to a statement from the State Department.
The statement says that non-essential staff at U.S. embassies in Iraq, Bahrain, and Kuwait have been ordered to leave those countries.
Family members of the staff have also been ordered to leave those countries.
The US is also authorizing the departure of non-essential personnel and family members from Bahrain and Kuwait.
Defense secretary Pete Hegseth “has authorized the voluntary departure of military dependents from locations” across the region, US Central Command said in a statement. The command “is monitoring the developing tension in the Middle East”.
Earlier on Wednesday, the UK’s maritime authority cautioned that rising tensions in the Middle East could spark heightened military activity, potentially disrupting shipping in key waterways. Ships were urged to navigate carefully through the Gulf, Gulf of Oman, and Strait of Hormuz – areas bordering Iran.
Meanwhile, the UK Foreign Office stated it is closely monitoring developments and will continuously assess the status of its embassy in Iraq following the U.S. decision.
