Ahead of possible 6th round of nuclear talks, US moves personnel out of danger as Trump reiterates ‘no nuclear weapon’

U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday reaffirmed Washington's position that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon. He also admitted that U.S. personnel were being repositioned over concerns regarding a possible military escalation. 

Asked by a reporter, while on his way to the Kennedy Center, if the U.S. personnel were being moved out of striking distance from Iran, Trump responded, “They are being moved out because it could be a dangerous place, and we’ll see what happens. We’ve given notice to move out.” 

When asked if anything could be done to “dial down the temperature in the region,” Trump responded bluntly, “They can’t have a nuclear weapon. Very simple, they can’t have a nuclear weapon.” 

Trump at the Kennedy Center this evening on evacuations of US personnel from the Middle East:

"They are being moved out. It could be a dangerous place, we'll see what happens. Iran can not have a nuclear weapon. We won't allow it."pic.twitter.com/CIC4Hdx2ao

— Emily Jacobs (@emilyfjacobs) June 11, 2025

The decision to evacuate some personnel in the region comes amid heightened tension. Iranian Defense Minister Maj.-Gen. Aziz Nasirzadeh warned earlier on Wednesday that if Iran were to be struck, it would retaliate by hitting U.S. bases in the region. After saying he hopes the talks succeed, Nasirzadeh warned, “If they don't and conflict is imposed on us, without hesitation, we will target all US bases in the host countries. In that case, US must leave the region.” 

The U.S. State Department has reportedly authorized the voluntary departure of personnel from the region, while instructing the evacuation of all non-essential workers from its stations in Iraq. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth authorized the voluntary departure of military dependents (spouses and children) from several locations across the Middle East. 

Amid rising tensions and speculation that a sixth round of nuclear talks might not occur – fueled by comments by President Trump and a report in The Jerusalem Post – Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi announced on Thursday morning that the next round is scheduled to take place in Muscat on Sunday.

I am pleased to confirm the 6th round of Iran US talks will be held in Muscat this Sunday the 15th.

— Badr Albusaidi - بدر البوسعيدي (@badralbusaidi) June 12, 2025

Trump recently told the New York Post that he is less confident about achieving a nuclear deal. 

“I’m less confident now than I would have been a couple of months ago. Something happened to them, but I am much less confident of a deal being made,” he said.

Meanwhile, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors is expected to vote Thursday on a draft resolution accusing Iran of violating its commitments to the JCPOA nuclear agreement. If the resolution passes, the United Nations could institute snapback sanctions on Iran. 

Iran has threatened retaliation if the resolution passes. 

However, Western and Israeli officials believe that Iran is using the nuclear talks to buy time to make a potential strike on its facilities less effective. Since the Israeli retaliatory strikes in October 2024, Iran has engaged in a flurry of construction efforts aimed at reinforcing or relocating critical nuclear and defense sites to hardened locations. 

On Wednesday, several U.S. news outlets, including NBC and CBS, reported that Israel is preparing to launch military strikes against Iran even without U.S. military assistance. 

This announcement came amid reports that Trump told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, "No Iran strikes for now," during a phone conversation on Monday in which the two leaders discussed the situations in Iran and the Gaza Strip.

On Tuesday, outgoing U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) commander Gen. Michael Kurilla told a congressional hearing, “I have provided the secretary of defense and the president with a wide range of options” regarding possible military action against Iran. 

Kurilla had been asked by Representative Mike Rogers of Alabama, the chairman of the House of Representatives Armed Services Committee, if CENTCOM is prepared to act with overwhelming force against Iran. 

“I take that as a yes?” Rogers asked. “Yes,” Kurilla responded.