The United States has raised its security posture amid mounting fears that Israel may launch a unilateral strike on Iran’s nuclear sites, should diplomatic negotiations between Washington and Tehran fully collapse, according to a report by The Washington Post.

Amid escalating tensions, President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that the U.S. is preparing to relocate some personnel from key Middle East regions, particularly Iran and Iraq.

“It could be a dangerous place,” Trump said. The State Department has approved the voluntary departure of some staff from Iraq, while the Pentagon is allowing military families to leave U.S. bases across the region.

Stalled Diplomacy and Military Posturing

The heightened alert coincides with the stagnation of U.S.-Iran nuclear negotiations. Trump reaffirmed his hardline position:

“They can’t have a nuclear weapon. Very simple.”

Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is reportedly preparing for a preemptive strike on Iran if diplomatic efforts fail. According to Axios, Netanyahu is closely monitoring U.S. sentiment and may move swiftly if he senses Washington’s support waning.

“Bibi is waiting for the nuclear talks to collapse and for the moment Trump will be disappointed about the negotiations and open to giving him the go-ahead,” a source told the outlet.

U.S. Concerns Over Unilateral Action

U.S. intelligence officials have expressed concern that Israel may act without prior coordination, potentially sparking Iranian retaliation that would endanger U.S. forces and assets in the region.

In an interview with the New York Post, Trump admitted he was growing “less confident” in the negotiations and did not rule out the possibility of military action should Iran persist with uranium enrichment a central sticking point in the talks.

Iran’s Warning and U.S. Response

In response to Israeli threats, Iranian Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh warned that any military action by Israel would provoke retaliation not only against Israel but also U.S. military bases across the Middle East, due to America’s strong alliance with Israel.

To mitigate risk, the U.S. has instructed embassies in the Middle East, North Africa, and Eastern Europe to activate emergency action committees and submit updated risk assessments. The State Department has authorized voluntary departures from embassies in Bahrain and Kuwait.

Global Travel Advisory Updated

Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued an updated global travel advisory on June 11, stating:

“The Department of State has ordered the departure of non-emergency U.S. government personnel due to heightened regional tensions.”

The U.S. maintains a significant military footprint in the region, including bases in Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates. These locations could become targets should conflict erupt.

The situation remains fluid, with the international community closely watching how Washington and Jerusalem respond to Iran’s nuclear ambitions—and whether diplomacy can prevail over confrontation.