Israel is more than ready to attack Iran’s nuclear facilities, and the US has gone on high alert in response, a number of US officials told CBS News and The Washington Post. The Trump administration now worries that Israel can act alone if nuclear negotiations with Tehran fall through.
Washington has already started evacuating part of its embassy in Baghdad and is permitting the military families to withdraw from vital spots in the Middle East. In return, Iran has warned that it will retaliate by striking US bases if attacked. The move indicates a potential new war in the region, several months after the Israel-Hamas war.
Israel on Brink of Acting
Reports indicate that Israel has notified the US of its preparations to attack Iran’s nuclear sites. This follows as nuclear talks between Washington and Tehran grind to a halt. Trump aides now fear that Israel may act independently without American approval.
President Trump spoke directly on the matter on Wednesday. He said outright, “They can’t have a nuclear weapon. Very simple, they can’t have a nuclear weapon.”
US Evacuates Non-Essential Staff
With increasing security threats, the US has instructed all non-essential staff at its embassy in Baghdad to leave. A State Department release confirmed that the action is an expression of renewed commitment to safeguarding American lives at home and around the world.
The embassy has already had most of its staff withdrawn. Therefore, the new evacuation will not impact a high number of personnel. The US is also going to permit military families to evacuate from other Middle Eastern locations as a precautionary measure.
Speaking at the Kennedy Center in Washington on Wednesday night, Trump warned of the region’s volatility. “They are being moved out because it could be a dangerous place, and we’ll see what happens,” he said. “We’ve given notice to move out, and we’ll see what happens.”
Iran Threatens to Strike US Bases
Iran has warned the US directly. Washington is held accountable by Tehran because it is Israel’s principal supporter. Iranian Defence Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh declared on Wednesday that Iran would respond by attacking US military installations in the region should Israel strike first.
With diplomacy failing and military threats escalating, tensions between Iran, Israel, and the US remain perilously high. The possibility of a wider regional war continues to escalate. All parties seem poised for escalation.