Israel seems to be gearing up for a potential attack on Iran, according to officials in the United States and Europe. This move could escalate tensions in the Middle East and disrupt the Trump administration's efforts to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon.

The concern over a possible Israeli strike and Iran's potential retaliation prompted the United States to withdraw diplomats from Iraq and allow U.S. military family members in the Middle East to leave voluntarily.

It remains unclear how extensive Israel's attack plans are. However, the rising tensions follow Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's urging of President Trump to take advantage of what Israel perceives as a moment of Iranian weakness to launch a strike.

President Donald Trump mentioned that U.S. personnel were being relocated from the Middle East due to safety concerns, emphasizing that Iran will not be allowed to possess a nuclear weapon.

Reuters reported that the U.S. is preparing to partially evacuate its embassy in Iraq and permit military dependents to leave various locations in the Middle East due to heightened security risks in the region.

The decision to evacuate some personnel comes at a precarious time in the region. Efforts to negotiate a nuclear deal with Iran have stalled, and U.S. intelligence suggests that Israel is preparing for a potential strike on Iran's nuclear facilities.

Trump has consistently threatened to attack Iran if talks regarding its nuclear program fail. He expressed doubts about Tehran's willingness to halt uranium enrichment, a crucial U.S. demand.

Iran's Defence Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh warned that any strikes on Iran would result in retaliation against U.S. bases in the region. The U.S. embassy in Kuwait confirmed that its staffing posture remains unchanged and operational.

The U.S. has military bases in key oil-producing countries like Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has allowed military dependents to leave locations in the Middle East, primarily focusing on those in Bahrain.

Despite the tensions, there have been no changes in operations at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, the largest U.S. military base in the Middle East. The U.S. embassy in Qatar continues to operate normally without any evacuation orders.