Overview

• Washington has pulled nonessential embassy staff and family from Iraq, Kuwait, and Bahrain and authorized military families to leave bases in Bahrain and Qatar.
• Trump described the region as "dangerous" and reiterated that the US will not permit Iran to acquire nuclear weapons.
• US media reports indicate Israel may plan a strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities, prompting the personnel drawdown.
• Iran’s defense minister, Asis Nasirsadeh, threatened retaliation against US military bases in the Persian Gulf if Iran is attacked.
• Nuclear talks between the US and Iran remain at an impasse, with Trump saying he is less confident than before that a deal will materialize.