Senator Tom Cotton stated on social media platform X that the Secretary of Defense confirmed Iran is actively working toward developing a nuclear weapon. Cotton described Iran’s government as a “terrorist regime” and warned that its nuclear ambitions pose a threat to U.S. national security, allies, and regional stability. He emphasized that such a development must not be allowed to occur.
The U.S. is scaling back the presence of nonessential staff and their families in parts of the Middle East amid concerns about potential regional instability, officials from the State Department and military said on Wednesday, AP reported.
Following a recent assessment, the State Department said it has ordered the departure of all nonessential personnel from the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, citing its commitment “to keeping Americans safe, both at home and abroad.” The embassy was already operating with reduced staffing, so this move will not impact a large number of personnel.
Additionally, the department is allowing nonessential staff and their family members stationed in Bahrain and Kuwait to voluntarily leave with support and coverage provided by the U.S. government.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth “has authorized the voluntary departure of military dependents from locations” across the region, U.S. Central Command said in a statement. The command “is monitoring the developing tension in the Middle East.”
General Erik Kurilla, the top U.S. commander in the Middle East, was expected to testify before the Senate Armed Services Committee on Thursday, but the appearance has been postponed, according to the committee’s website, the Associated Press reported Wednesday.
Regional tensions have been mounting as diplomatic efforts between the U.S. and Iran over Tehran’s rapidly advancing nuclear program appear to have reached an impasse. These talks aim to curb Iran’s nuclear capabilities in return for easing some of the harsh U.S. sanctions imposed on the country. Iran maintains that its nuclear activities are for peaceful purposes.
