In anticipation of potential retaliation from Tehran, particularly against the US sites in neighbouring Iraq, the US State Department on Wednesday (June 10) instructed non-emergency government personnel to leave Iraq. A defence official also confirmed to CBS News that the Pentagon has authorised voluntary departures of military families across the Middle East.
Iran can’t have a nuclear weapon: Trump Speaking at the Kennedy Centre on June 10, US President Donald Trump remarked that the region “could be a dangerous place” and reiterated the US position on Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
“They can’t have a nuclear weapon. Very simple. They can’t have a nuclear weapon. We’re not going to allow that,” Trump said.
Read more: Iran risks UN sanctions as nuclear talks falter and IAEA inspections face limits
Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, remains engaged in diplomatic efforts and is scheduled to meet Iranian officials in Oman for a sixth round of talks on Sunday, June 15. Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi confirmed the meeting on X (formerly Twitter), reported AP.
Iran threatens retaliation, negotiations continue Iran’s Defence Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh told reporters on June 10 that should the conflict erupt, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps “will target all US bases in the host countries,” as per CBS News.
While Iran has also stated its willingness to soon present a counter-proposal to a recent US offer, it has dismissed the American plan as “unacceptable”. Trump had acknowledged on Monday, June 9, that he was “less confident” about Iran agreeing to halt uranium enrichment, reported Reuters.
Israel has consistently opposed any diplomatic engagement with Iran with PM Benjamin Netanyahu’s office stating that numerous overt and covert operations have been undertaken to stop Iran’s nuclear capabilities, as per CBS.
Read more: Iran claims without evidence that it took Israeli nuclear files
Trump has also publicly urged Netanyahu to delay any military action while negotiations are ongoing. “I told him this would be inappropriate to do right now because we’re very close to a solution,” he said.
Iran’s nuclear programme
Since the United States withdrawal from the nuclear agreement of 2015 under Trump’s first term, Tehran has significantly expanded its uranium stockpile.
Iran maintains that its nuclear programme is solely for peaceful and civilian purposes. However, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) released a report about two weeks ago stating that Iran now possesses over 400 kg of uranium enriched up to 60%, alarmingly close to the weapons-grade threshold of 90%.
Amid these rising tensions, the UK Maritime Trade Organisation has issued a notice advising vessels to remain cautious in the Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, and Gulf of Oman, which are vital corridors for global oil trade, citing risks of military escalation.
