Washington: The United States has begun withdrawing non-essential personnel and military dependents from key locations across West Asia, as regional tensions mount, CNN has reported, citing American officials and defence sources.

While the specific trigger for the shift remains unclear, a senior defence official confirmed that US Central Command (CENTCOM) is closely monitoring “developing tension in the Middle East.” The move is part of a broader precautionary response amid fears of potential conflict.

President Donald Trump commented on the situation, stating: “They are being moved out because it could be a dangerous place... we've given notice to move out, and we'll see what happens.”

According to CNN, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has authorised the voluntary departure of military dependents from several regional locations. A Pentagon official reiterated that the safety of service members and their families remains the top priority.

Further tightening US presence, the State Department is preparing to order the departure of non-essential diplomatic personnel from embassies in Iraq, Bahrain, and Kuwait, as well as the US consulate in Erbil, in coordination with the Pentagon. A State Department spokesperson said the decision followed an updated risk assessment due to “heightened regional tensions.”

A local Iraqi official, however, downplayed the security risks, suggesting the withdrawals were unrelated to Iraq’s internal situation.

Meanwhile, CENTCOM Commander Gen. Michael Kurilla has postponed his scheduled testimony before a Senate committee due to the rapidly evolving circumstances.

Tensions with Iran remain a focal point. President Trump expressed growing scepticism about reaching a new nuclear deal with Tehran, telling a New York Post podcast that Iran might be deliberately stalling. “I'm getting more and more less confident about it... Something happened to them,” Trump remarked.

CNN also revealed that during a recent phone call, Trump urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to refrain from publicly discussing a potential strike on Iran. Trump described the call as “very well, very smooth.”

These developments follow previous intelligence suggesting Israel was preparing for possible action against Iranian nuclear facilities. US officials cited Israeli military movements and the completion of airstrike simulations, though no final decision had been made by Tel Aviv.

In response, Iran's Defence Minister, Brigadier General Aziz Nasirzadeh, warned that if talks collapsed and conflict broke out, the US would be forced to withdraw from the region. Speaking to Iran’s IRNA news agency, he asserted: “All US bases are within our reach. The adversary will certainly suffer heavier casualties.” He did not specify whether the warning was directed at Washington, Tel Aviv, or both.