White House Advises Americans to Leave Region Due to Threat of Iran Escalating Conflict

Iran Issues Threat to American Bases as Nuclear Talks Come to a Head

New York Sun: The Iranian defense minister says American bases could be attacked if nuclear talks go south. Secretary Hegseth is authorizing the voluntary departure of military dependents in the Middle East following a threat from Iran’s defense minister, a senior Department of Defense official tells the Sun. The American embassy in Iraq is also preparing to partially evacuate. On Wednesday morning, the Iranian defense minister, Aziz Nasirzadeh, said in a speech that Iran is not taking military strikes against American assets off the table ahead of negotiations related to his country’s nuclear program. “Some officials on the other side threaten conflict if negotiations don’t come to fruition. If a conflict is imposed on us … all U.S. bases are within our reach and we will boldly target them in host countries,” Mr. Nasirzadeh said, according to Al Jazeera. A source at the Pentagon tells the Sun that Mr. Hegseth has authorized the departure of dependents, if they choose to do so, across the entirety of Central Command’s jurisdiction. That area of operation stretches from Egypt to Pakistan (NYSun).

Iran cannot have nuclear weapons — US personnel leave region due to threat of escalating conflict — Trump pic.twitter.com/bBYidAM0Ue

— Vegas (@vegasyx) June 12, 2025

“Israel ready to launch operation against Iran, multiple sources tell CBS News”: White House advises Americans to leave region. “Israel is fully prepared to launch an operation in Iran, multiple sources tell CBS News.” The US expects Iran to retaliate against some US targets in neighboring Iraq. That’s one reason the White House previously advised some Americans to leave the region and the State Department ordered non-essential government officials to leave Iraq amid “heightened regional tensions.” Meanwhile, the Pentagon has allowed family members of military personnel to voluntarily leave the Middle East. President Trump’s special envoy for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, still plans to meet with Iran for a sixth round of talks on its nuclear program on June 15, two US officials said. US President Donald Trump, commenting on the current situation, explained that Americans are advised to leave the region “because it could be a dangerous place.”

Is a Strike on Iran Possible?

Israel Hayom: Israel sees a rare opportunity – one that may not return – to strike Iran, based on the convergence of several factors: The recent acceleration of uranium enrichment processes by Iran; the extensive damage to its strategic defense systems from Israeli Air Force strikes last year; the significant weakening of Hezbollah and Iran’s other proxies, apart from the Houthis; and Trump’s explicit pledge that Iran will not acquire nuclear weapons under any circumstances, “under a deal or otherwise,” in his words. The issue of uranium enrichment is expected to provide Israel with broad international support in the event of a strike. According to the latest report by the International Atomic Energy Agency, Iran now possesses 408.6 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60 percent, enough material to produce approximately ten bombs…. Those looking for more signs of what’s to come can find them in warnings issued yesterday by the United Kingdom (regarding the risks to maritime traffic in the Persian Gulf) and the US (which is preparing to evacuate its embassy in Baghdad, and possibly other bases in the region). They can also be seen in the unusual silence of Israeli politicians, who typically comment on everything but are now imposing a media blackout on what is arguably the most critical issue (Israel Hayom)

. Jennifer Jacobs of CBS News: US officials have been told Israel is fully ready to launch an operation into Iran. This is part of the reason the US advised some Americans to leave region. US anticipates Iran could retaliate on certain US sites in Iraq. Witkoff is still planning to meet with Iran for the 6th rounds of talks this Sunday (Jacobs).