• The US is evacuating personnel from its embassy in Baghdad and allowing military dependents to leave the region.
• Iran threatened to retaliate against US bases if conflict escalates following stalled nuclear negotiations.
• US President Donald Trump stated the region could be dangerous, with an emphasis on preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons.
• Heightened tensions are affecting oil prices and leading to military advisories for mariners in the region.
• Negotiations on Iran's nuclear program are set to continue, although confidence in reaching a deal is waning.

The US has begun evacuating some personnel from its embassy in Baghdad and other locations in the Middle East due to rising tensions with Iran, as officials expect reciprocal attacks between Israel and Iran. The decision reflects an assessment that the Middle East could become increasingly dangerous, leading to the authorization for military service members' families to leave the region as a precautionary measure, according to SCMP and AA.

President Trump confirmed the evacuation, citing that "it could be a dangerous place," as Israel reportedly stands ready to strike Iranian nuclear facilities. Trump reiterated his administration's stance that Iran must not acquire nuclear weapons, expressing growing skepticism about the ongoing negotiations aimed at curtailing Iran’s nuclear ambitions, as noted by Dawn and Le Monde.

As tensions escalate, Iran has threatened to target US military bases across the region if conflict arises. Iranian Defence Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh stated that all US bases are within reach of Iranian missiles and warned that Iran would retaliate "without hesitation." These escalating threats have led officials to implement travel advisories, urging caution for mariners in the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman, highlighting the potential for military confrontations in these waters, according to SCMP and Le Monde.

With a complex diplomatic landscape, the next round of nuclear talks is set to proceed, although the US Department of State has issued a "do not travel" advisory for Iraq due to ongoing threats. This development comes amid rising oil prices exacerbated by concerns over the security in the region, which are heavily reliant on stability amidst rising geopolitical tensions, as reported by AA and Dawn.