President Donald Trump spoke to reporters Wednesday night on worsening conditions in the Middle East regarding Iran’s nuclear program. The U.S. authorized evacuations of dependents and non-essential personnel at several embassies and bases in the Middle East after Iran threatened attacks over the possible breakdown of negotiations with the U.S. over its nuclear program amid warnings by both Israel and the U.S. that Iran will not be allowed to develop a nuclear bomb.
The first occasion was when Trump and First Lady Melania were departing the White House for a performance of Les Misérables at the Kennedy Center:
“Why are US dependents of military personnel being evacuated from the Middle East?”
“You’ll have to see, thank you,” Trump said as he was departing the White House with First Lady Melania.
REPORTER: "Why are US dependents of military personnel being evacuated from the Middle East?"
TRUMP: "You'll have to see, thank you." pic.twitter.com/4U0bx6bDyc
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) June 11, 2025
At the Kennedy Center, Trump had more to say to reporters, “They are being moved out because it could be a dangerous place and uh, we’ll see what happens. But, they are be…,we’ve given notice to move out. And we’ll see what happens”…”They can’t have a nuclear weapon. Very simple. They can’t have a nuclear weapon. We’re not going to allow that.”
.@POTUS on Iran: "They can't have a nuclear weapon. Very simple. They can't have a nuclear weapon. We're not going to allow that." pic.twitter.com/iCpyyYJeBh
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) June 11, 2025
Israel is ready to launch an operation into Iran, according to a report by CBS News.
“This is part of the reason the US advised some Americans to leave region. US anticipates Iran could retaliate on certain US sites in Iraq. Witkoff is still planning to meet with Iran for the 6th rounds of talks this Sunday,” CBS reporter Jennifer Jacobs posted Wednesday night.
BREAKING: US officials have been told Israel is fully ready to launch an operation into Iran. This is part of the reason the US advised some Americans to leave region. US anticipates Iran could retaliate on certain US sites in Iraq. Witkoff is still planning to meet with Iran…
— Jennifer Jacobs (@JenniferJJacobs) June 12, 2025
Israel National News reported on a Washington Post article Wednesday on embassy preparations within range of Iran’s ballistic missiles (excerpt):
The United States is on heightened alert, bracing for potential regional escalation in the Middle East. Amid escalating concerns regarding a possible Israeli strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities, the US State Department has issued a critical directive to its diplomatic missions worldwide, The Washington Post reported on Wednesday.
Embassies located within striking distance of Iranian assets – a broad category encompassing missions in the Middle East, Eastern Europe, and Northern Africa – have been ordered to convene emergency action committees (EACs). This significant measure mandates these committees to dispatch cables to Washington outlining strategies to mitigate potential risks, according to the report.
A senior diplomat in the region articulated the profound anxiety within diplomatic circles, telling The Washington Post, “We are watching and worried. We think it’s more serious than any other time in the past.”
