"They are being moved out. It could be a dangerous place, we'll see what happens,” US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday when asked about the partial evacuation of US embassy staff from Iraq.

“Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon, we won't allow it,” Trump added.

The United States is on high alert in anticipation of a potential Israeli strike on Iran, The Washington Post reported on Wednesday.

"The State Department recently ordered all embassies within striking distance of Iranian assets — including missions in the Middle East but also Eastern Europe and Northern Africa — to convene emergency action committees (EACs) and send cables back to Washington about measures to mitigate risks," the report said.

"That procedure led to Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s decision on Wednesday to authorize the departure of nonessential personnel in Iraq."

“The Trump Admin is clearly into some major preparations for possible military action vs Iran,” former US ambassador to Israel Dan Shapiro said on X.

“These steps don't necessarily mean military action is imminent. Still time for talks, it takes time to move people out.”

“But these are steps that it would make sense to take as part of preparations, and to show seriousness. Provides important leverage in nuclear talks,” he said on Wednesday.

“The Trump Admin is clearly into some major preparations for possible military action vs Iran,” former US ambassador to Israel Dan Shapiro said on X.

“These steps don't necessarily mean military action is imminent. Still time for talks, it takes time to move people out.”

“But these are steps that it would make sense to take as part of preparations, and to show seriousness. Provides important leverage in nuclear talks,” he said on Wednesday.

Two US officials cited by the Associated Press on Wednesday said it was increasingly unlikely that the sixth round of nuclear talks with Iran tentatively set for Sunday in Oman would proceed.