The US is evacuating nonessential staff from the embassy in Baghdad and families members of military personnel from several bases in the Gulf amid growing concerns about the security situation, according to two State Department and Pentagon officials, Axios reported.

According to CNN, the US State and Defense departments on Wednesday made efforts to arrange the departure of non-essential personnel from locations around the Middle East, according to US officials and sources familiar with the efforts.

The evacuation is being prepared for the US embassies in Iraq, Bahrain and Kuwait due to increased security risks in the region, according to a separate US official and another source familiar with the matter, per CNN.

A US state department official told the BBC on Wednesday: "We are constantly assessing the appropriate personnel posture at all our embassies. Based on our latest analysis, we decided to reduce the footprint of our mission in Iraq."

The unusual steps are taking place ahead of a crucial round of nuclear negotiations between the US and Iran and amid threats made by Tehran to launch missiles against US military bases in the region in retaliation for any attack on Iran's nuclear facilities, according to Axios. 

Officials did not say exactly what prompted the removal, however, in recent days talks over Iran's nuclear program appear to have stalled, BBC reported.

Asked on Wednesday evening about the decision to evacuate staff from multiple parts of the Middle East, US President Trump said: "Well, they are being moved out because it could be a dangerous place, and we'll see what happens."

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has authorized the voluntary departure of military dependents from locations across the Middle East, CNN reported, citing US official.

White House special envoy Steve Witkoff is expected to meet Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi this weekend for a sixth round of nuclear talks, Xinhua News Agency reported. 

Global Times