Iraq says US evacuation unrelated to threats on its territory
The evacuation of some US embassy personnel from Iraq and other areas in the Middle East was a “regulatory precautionary measure” taken by Washington and not based on any credible security threat within Iraq, Iraq’s military spokesperson said Thursday.
“Intelligence and field reports do not indicate actual threats that would affect the work of diplomatic missions,” the spokesman said, according to Iraq’s state news agency.
"[The decision] has nothing to do with the presence of any field security indicators within Iraqi territory.”
Israel called on the international community Thursday to “respond decisively” after the IAEA formally declared Iran in breach of its nuclear safeguards obligations for the first time in nearly two decades.
“Iran has consistently obstructed IAEA’s verification and monitoring, it removed inspectors, and it sanitised and concealed suspected undeclared locations in Iran,” Israel’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement posted on X.
“These actions undermine the global non-proliferation regime and pose an imminent threat to regional and international security and stability,” it added, urging coordinated international pressure to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
Iran’s top military commander has issued an early order to initiate the country’s annual military exercises, state media reported Thursday, as tensions rise over Tehran’s nuclear program.
The directive, signed by Major General Mohammad Bagheri, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, shifts the usual defense calendar to focus more closely on monitoring “enemy movements.”
“The purpose of these exercises is to strengthen the defensive power and assess the readiness of the armed forces,” Bagheri said.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry criticized International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi on Thursday, accusing him of a biased and politically motivated approach to Iran’s nuclear program.
“Grossi bears direct responsibility for weakening the professional credibility of the Agency,” Spokesman Esmail Baghaei said.
He also condemned the resolution passed by the IAEA Board of Governors at the urging of the US, France, Germany, and the UK.
The Islamic Republic would adopt necessary countermeasures to protect national interests, he said.
A senior Israeli official has warned that Israel is ready to launch a military strike on Iran if the next round of nuclear talks between Tehran and Washington, set for Sunday in Oman, fail to yield results.
The official, speaking to Iran International, said Israel is closely monitoring developments and could act unilaterally if necessary.
“The United States would require approximately three days to evacuate non-essential diplomatic personnel and their families from the region,” the source said. “That evacuation process reportedly began on Wednesday and is expected to be completed by Sunday, aligning with the timeline for the talks.”
According to multiple sources, the United States has already begun evacuating non-essential diplomatic personnel and their families from the region.
Israeli media reported Thursday that Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer and Mossad Director David Barnea are set to meet US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff ahead of the talks in Oman.
Witkoff, speaking at an event for the Israeli medical charity United Hatzalah in New York on Wednesday, stressed that Iran must be permanently denied the ability to develop nuclear or missile capabilities.
“We must stand resolute and united against this danger and ensure that Iran never obtains the means to achieve its deadly ambitions no matter what the cost,” he said.
A senior Iranian official told Reuters that a regional ally had informed Tehran of the potential for an Israeli strike. "The tensions are intended to influence Tehran to change its position about its nuclear rights," the official said, but emphasized that Iran would not compromise on its right to uranium enrichment.
US President Donald Trump said Wednesday that American personnel were being withdrawn due to increasing threats in what he described as a “dangerous place.” He added that Washington remains committed to preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) issued a warning Thursday. “If our hands are untied, we will win victories that will make the enemy regret its actions,” IRGC commander-in-chief Hossein Salami said, signaling Iran’s readiness for any military confrontation.
An IRGC-affiliated outlet, Javan, warned that Tehran was prepared to walk away from negotiations if its national demands were not met, saying that Iran was negotiating “from a position of strength” and possessed sufficient nuclear expertise to act as a deterrent.
The New York Times, citing a senior Iranian official, reported Wednesday that Iranian military and government leaders had already held high-level meetings to discuss their response to any possible Israeli military strike.
Attacking Iran without US help
NBC News reported Thursday that while Israel would prefer to coordinate with the US, including intelligence or logistical support for strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, it is prepared to act alone.
“While Israel would most likely prefer US military and intelligence support... it showed in October that it can do a lot alone,” the report said.
The same report cited five sources saying that Israel’s considerations of unilateral military action have intensified as the US inches closer to a preliminary deal with Tehran—one that reportedly includes provisions on uranium enrichment that Israel finds unacceptable.
US evacuating Baghdad embassy
Tensions have also led to regional security measures with the US embassy in Baghdad set to be evacuated partially.
Iraq’s state news agency also reported that steps to evacuate US personnel were underway not only in Iraq but across several Middle Eastern countries.
The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) issued a security advisory on Wednesday, warning that increased regional tensions could impact maritime safety.
“UKMTO has been made aware of increased tensions within the region which could lead to an escalation of military activity having a direct impact on mariners,” the alert read.
The Washington Post reported Wednesday that the nuclear talks might not proceed as planned, citing two US officials who described the diplomatic environment as rapidly deteriorating.
Iran’s Defense Minister Aziz Nassirzadeh warned on Wednesday that Tehran would target American bases in the region if negotiations collapse and hostilities break out. “If a conflict is imposed on us... all US bases are within our reach and we will boldly target them in host countries,” he said.
Despite the rising tensions, Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi confirmed Thursday that the sixth round of US-Iran nuclear negotiations will proceed as scheduled on June 15.
Iran will establish a third uranium enrichment facility and upgrade centrifuges to advanced IR-6 models in response to the IAEA Board of Governors' resolution, Atomic Energy Organization spokesman Behrouz Kamalvandi said Thursday.
“Their strategic mistake is believing political pressure can force Iran to retreat from its rightful positions,” Kamalvandi told state TV.
“We had warned that our actions would be adjusted accordingly.”
Enrichment “will significantly increase,” he added, as part of Iran’s response to what Tehran calls a politically motivated move by Western powers at the nuclear watchdog.
