Tensions between Israel and Iran tightened on Thursday as reports surfaced that Israel is “fully ready” to launch military strikes against Iran.
The news came after the State Department issued evacuation orders on Wednesday for U.S. personnel in the Middle East over concerns of Iranian aggression, citing “heightened regional tensions.” Iran has vowed to strike U.S. military bases in the region if it is attacked, CBS News reported.
“If a conflict is imposed on us … all U.S. bases are within reach,” Iranian Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh said.
A State Department official spoke to the Washington Examiner on Wednesday about the precautionary measures being taken in the Middle East to protect U.S. service members and their families.
“The safety and security of our service members and their families remains our highest priority, and U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) is monitoring the developing tension in the Middle East,” the State Department official said. “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.”
Complicating matters in the region are the U.S. and Iran’s efforts to resolve the stalemate in discussions regarding Iran’s nuclear program and, specifically, uranium enrichment. Steve Witkoff, the special envoy to the Middle East, is expected to meet with Iran for a sixth round of negotiations in the upcoming days, with a meeting tentatively scheduled for Sunday between Witkoff and Iran’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abbas Araghchi.
President Donald Trump has tempered expectations in recent days about an agreement with Iran, claiming Iran has become more difficult in negotiations. On Monday, Trump spoke about some of his current frustrations and disagreements with the Iranian government in the attempts to broker an agreement.
MIDDLE EAST HEATS UP AS IRAN THREATENS US BASES
“They’re just asking for things that you can’t do. They don’t want to give up what they have to give up,” Trump said earlier this week. “They seek enrichment. We can’t have enrichment.”
Meanwhile, talks of Israeli attacks on Iran complicate an already challenging situation, and hostilities remain high in the region. However, if and when Israel does decide to launch an attack on Iran, it will be a unilateral effort without any assistance from U.S. forces, according to multiple reports.
