The US began evacuating non-essential personnel from diplomatic and military installations across the Middle East after Israel was reported to be readying an operation in Iran.
The partial evacuation of the Iraq embassy, among other staff withdrawals, came as talks between Washington and Tehran over Iranâs nuclear program appeared stalled, with American officials fearing reprisals if Israel follows through on its plans, CBS wrote.
US President Donald Trump held a âtenseâ call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, telling the Israeli leader that strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities were âoff the table for nowâ despite Netanyahuâs demand that a âcredible military threatâ be maintained.
A top White House official warned US senators last week that in the event of an Israeli strike, Iranâs retaliation could overwhelm Israelâs defenses and cause mass casualties, Axios reported.