'Dangerous place': US pulls out diplomats, some troops from West Asia over escalating tensions
PTC News Desk: The US State and Defence Departments have begun moving non-essential personnel out of several locations across West Asia amid growing regional tensions, CNN reported citing US officials and sources familiar with the matter.
While the exact cause of the shift in posture remains unclear, a defence official told CNN that US Central Command (CENTCOM) is monitoring "developing tension in the Middle East." President Donald Trump, commenting on the situation, said, "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.
In a related development, CNN cited sources saying Trump told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a phone call on Monday to stop discussing a potential attack on Iran. The call, according to Trump, went "very well, very smooth."
Last month, CNN reported the US had obtained intelligence suggesting that Israel was preparing for a potential strike on Iranian nuclear facilities.
US officials noted signs of Israeli military posturing, including the movement of air munitions and completion of an air exercise, though a final decision by Israeli leadership had not been confirmed.
Amid these developments, Iran's Defence Minister Brigadier General Aziz Nasirzadeh issued a stern warning.
As per Iran's state-run IRNA news agency, he said if nuclear talks fail and conflict erupts, the US would be "forced to leave the region," asserting that all US bases are within the reach of Iranian forces. "The adversary will certainly suffer heavier casualties," he added, though he did not clarify whether he was referring to the US, Israel, or both.
- With inputs from agencies
