US intensifies security measures in Middle East as Iran threatens to target American facilities

WASHINGTON, D.C. / TEHRAN — The Iranian nuclear file is growing more complex by the day, prompting the United States to step up its security measures across the Middle East amid stalled negotiations with Tehran.

US and Iraqi officials told Reuters that Washington has begun a partial evacuation of its embassy in Iraq due to rising regional threats. The precautionary steps also include allowing military families to leave certain American bases in the region.

A US official said Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth approved voluntary departures for military families, particularly in Bahrain, which hosts a significant number of US troops.

Meanwhile, Iran issued direct threats to American military bases in the event of conflict. Iranian Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh said he hopes negotiations with the US lead to a resolution, but warned that if war breaks out, “the other side’s losses will far outweigh ours.”

Nasirzadeh added that Iran possesses the capability to strike all US bases in the region without hesitation and declared that American forces would eventually be forced to withdraw from the Middle East.

The United States maintains several military installations in countries neighboring Iran, including its largest base in Qatar, which houses the US Central Command (CENTCOM).