Pentagon chief authorizes voluntary departure of military dependents from Middle East
Central Command is monitoring developing tension in Middle East, defense official tells Anadolu
WASHINGTON
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has authorized the voluntary departure of military dependents from locations across the Middle East, a US defense official said Wednesday.
"The safety and security of our service members and their families remains our highest priority, and US and Central Command (CENTCOM) are monitoring the developing tension in the Middle East," the official told Anadolu.
"CENTCOM is working in close coordination with our Department of State counterparts, as well as our allies and partners in the region, to maintain a constant state of readiness to support any number of missions around the world at any time," the official added.
The US is evacuating diplomatic staff from its embassy in Baghdad, Iraq, a State Department official confirmed Wednesday.
Earlier on Wednesday, Iran’s Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh threatened to target US bases in the region if a conflict breaks out between the two countries over Tehran’s nuclear program.
Tensions between Tehran and Washington remain high despite ongoing indirect nuclear negotiations mediated by Oman. The main sticking point remains Iran’s uranium enrichment program.
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