US on high alert amid possible Israeli strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities

American media has reported that Israel informed the Trump administration that it may launch a military strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities at any moment. In response, the US State Department has begun scaling back its diplomatic presence across the Middle East.

According to a Washington Post report, the United States is on heightened alert due to the possibility of such an Israeli attack. 

After Bahrain and Kuwait, some staff have now been authorised to depart Iraq. Meanwhile, the Pentagon has approved the voluntary evacuation of military personnel’s families from several locations in the region.

President Donald Trump, under whose administration the latest tensions are being framed, recently told the New York Post that he is no longer optimistic about reaching a nuclear agreement with Tehran.

Read: Iran executes man accused of spying for Israel’s Mossad

“I am less confident now than I would have been a couple of months ago, Something happened to them,” Trump said. 

US intelligence officials have reportedly warned that Israel could act unilaterally, without American approval, to strike Iranian nuclear sites. Such an act could derail US diplomatic efforts and provoke Iranian retaliation against American interests in the region.

Tehran has consistently maintained that the US, as Israel’s key ally, would be held responsible for any Israeli military action.

The State Department has instructed embassies in the Middle East, Eastern Europe, and North Africa. regions where Iranian retaliation is deemed possible. to establish emergency action committees and submit security assessments to Washington.

On Wednesday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio authorised the evacuation of non-essential personnel from Iraq. A State Department official confirmed, “We are constantly assessing the appropriate personnel posture at all our embassies. Based on our latest analysis, we decided to reduce our Mission in Iraq.”

According to The Times of Israel, the US is also withdrawing certain military and diplomatic staff from bases that are deemed non-critical to operations in the region.

US-Iran nuclear talks on the precipice

Tensions escalated further this week after nuclear negotiations between the US and Iran stalled. The proposed deal would have offered relief from US sanctions in exchange for limits on Iran’s nuclear program, which Tehran insists is for peaceful purposes.

Two US officials revealed that the head of US Central Command, Lieutenant General Michael Kurilla, postponed his scheduled testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee due to the rising tensions. 

Although a sixth round of nuclear talks was tentatively scheduled to take place in Oman later this week, US officials now believe the chances of resuming negotiations are diminishing.

‘Israel will lead military attack if Iran advances nuclear program:’ Trump

However, a US official told Reuters that special envoy Steve Witkoff is still expected to meet Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi in Oman on Sunday to discuss Tehran’s response to the latest US proposal.

President Trump has previously stated that military options remain on the table should diplomacy with Iran fail.

In response to Trump's statement about a military option for Iran if nuclear diplomacy fails, Iran's Defense Minister, Brig Gen Aziz Nasirzadeh, warned of a forceful retaliation against the US.