• Source:JND
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US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday US personnel were being moved out of the Middle East because "it could be a dangerous place," adding that the United States would not allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon. The latest announcement came amid the potential of regional unrest, the US State Department and the military said on Wednesday as tensions with neighbouring Iran rose amid deteriorating nuclear talks.

Trump's efforts to reach a nuclear deal with Iran appear to be deadlocked and US intelligence indicates that Israel has been making preparations for a strike against Iran's nuclear facilities. "They are being moved out because it could be a dangerous place, and we'll see what happens," Trump told reporters. "We've given notice to move out." Asked whether anything can be done to lower the temperature in the region, Trump said: "They can't have a nuclear weapon. Very simple, they can't have a nuclear weapon."

Iran nuclear deal

Trump has repeatedly threatened to strike Iran if stuttering talks over its nuclear programme fail and in an interview released earlier on Wednesday said he was growing less confident that Tehran would agree to stop enriching uranium, a key American demand.

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"President Trump is committed to keeping Americans safe, both at home and abroad. In keeping with that commitment, we are constantly assessing the appropriate personnel posture at all our embassies. Based on our latest analysis, we decided to reduce the footprint of our Mission in Iraq," a State Department official told The Times of Israel.

US allows personnel's family members to move out

The department also authorised the departure of non-essential personnel and family members from Bahrain and Kuwait, giving them an option on whether to leave the country.

In addition, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has authorised the voluntary departure of military dependents from locations across the Middle East, a US official said. Another US official said that it was mostly relevant to family members located in Bahrain -- where the bulk of them are based.

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Tensions in the region have been rising in recent days as talks between the US and Iran over its rapidly advancing nuclear program appear to have hit an impasse. In light of mounting friction, Michael Kurilla, who directs American forces in the Middle East as the head of US Central Command, postponed his testimony before US lawmakers he was set to give on Thursday.

Iran reacts to Israel's raid plan

Iranian Defence Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh also said on Wednesday that if Iran was subjected to strikes it would retaliate by hitting US bases in the region. Iran's mission to the UN posted on social media that "threats of overwhelming force won't change the facts." "Iran is not seeking a nuclear weapon, and US militarism only fuels instability," the Iranian mission wrote.

Iranian Defence Minister Gen Aziz Nasirzadeh told journalists Wednesday that he hoped talks with the US would yield results, though Tehran stood ready to respond with strikes on American bases in the region.

(With inputs from agency)