US acts on intel of Israeli preparations to strike Iran's nuclear sites; evacuates staff from key West Asia bases

June 12, 2025 by News Desk

Amid escalating tensions in West Asia, the United States has begun withdrawing non-essential personnel from multiple military and diplomatic installations across the region, including Iraq, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Erbil in Iraqi Kurdistan. The move, reported by CNN and confirmed by US officials, reflects rising fears of a potential military conflict involving Iran and Israel.

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) is closely monitoring what officials describe as “developing tensions in the Middle East.” Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has authorized the voluntary departure of military dependents, citing safety concerns. “The safety and security of our service members and their families remains our highest priority,” a Pentagon official said. CENTCOM commander Gen. Michael Kurilla has also postponed a scheduled Senate testimony due to the unfolding situation.

President Donald Trump acknowledged the repositioning, stating, “They are being moved out because it could be a dangerous place… we’ve given notice to move out, and we’ll see what happens.”

The State Department, working alongside the Pentagon, has initiated the drawdown of non-essential diplomatic staff from key locations. An updated travel advisory cited “heightened regional tensions” as the reason for the decision. A local Iraqi official, however, claimed the movements were not connected to Iraq’s immediate security environment.

The evacuation comes amid growing concerns that Israel may be preparing for a potential military strike on Iranian nuclear facilities. According to CNN and Time magazine, US intelligence has picked up multiple signals—including intercepted communications, movements of air munitions, and completed military exercises—indicating that Israel is operationally ready for such an attack.

US officials say no final decision has been made by Israeli leadership, but the likelihood of a strike has “gone up significantly in recent months.” The potential for action has been closely tied to the stagnation of nuclear negotiations between Tehran and Western powers.

These developments were reportedly discussed in a phone call between President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier this week. Trump described the call as “very smooth,” though sources say he privately urged Netanyahu to avoid public talk of military action.

President Trump has also expressed growing pessimism about the chances of reviving the Iran nuclear deal. In a podcast with the New York Post, he said, “I’m getting more and more less confident about it… Something happened to them,” implying that Iran may be deliberately stalling the process.

Meanwhile, Iran has issued a stern response to the mounting pressure. Speaking to the state-run IRNA news agency, Iran’s Defence Minister Brigadier General Aziz Nasirzadeh warned that if nuclear talks fail and conflict erupts, “the US will be forced to leave the region.” He added that “all US bases are within reach of Iranian forces,” and promised that “the adversary will certainly suffer heavier casualties.”

With diplomatic efforts faltering and military preparations intensifying, West Asia appears poised on the edge of a dangerous escalation—one that could redraw the region’s security landscape and potentially draw the US deeper into conflict. With inputs from agencies