The U.S. Embassy Compound in the Iraqi capital of Baghdad is preparing for an ordered evacuation due to heightened tensions in the region, according to reports from U.S. and Iraqi officials to Reuters.

Something major is up right now in the Middle East, Israel might be preparing to strike Iran.

Initial reports that Naval Support Activity Bahrain, the home of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and U.S. Fifth Fleet, as well as other bases near the Persian Gulf have been placed on “High Alert”, with the dependents of servicemembers being told to prepare for evacuation, possibly due to concerns of military action related to Iran.

The U.S. State Department is preparing to order the departure of all non-essential personnel from the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, as well as non-essential personnel and family members also located in Bahrain and Kuwait.

According to an official with the State Department, the evacuation of non-essential personnel from the U.S. Embassy Compound in Baghdad will be carried out via commercial flights, though the Pentagon is standing-by and preparing assets to aid in the evacuation if the need arises, amid escalating tension in the Middle East.

U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has authorized the voluntary departure of military dependents housed at bases and other locations across the Middle East, according to Reuters.

Now would really be a great time for a press briefing from the Pentagon.

The White House states that President Trump is aware and following the departure of non-essential personnel and military dependents from the Middle East.

U.S. Embassies and other diplomatic sites in countries across the Middle East are being prepared for evacuation, after Iran’s Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh threatened to attack U.S. military bases throughout the Middle East earlier today if tensions continue to escalate in the region or if nuclear talks collapse between Tehran and Washington.

According to a defense official who spoke to Axios, “Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has authorized the voluntary departure of military dependents from locations across the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) Area-of-Responsibility. CENTCOM is working in close coordination with our Department of State counterparts, as well as our Allies and partners in the region to maintain a constant state of readiness to support any number of missions around the world at any time. The safety and security of our service members and their families remains our highest priority and CENTCOM is monitoring the developing tension in the Middle East.”

Increased military air activity reported over the Anbar Province of Western Iraq.

The odds of “Israeli military action against Iran before July” have spiked on Polymarket’s betting market over the last few hours, current sitting at over 40%, following reports today of bases being placed on heightened alert as well as non-essential personnel and military dependents being evacuated from diplomatic sites and bases throughout the Middle East.

Iraqi officials confirm the evacuation of diplomats and staff from the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad as well as the General Consulate in Erbil.

Reuters reports that the Commander of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), General Michael E. Kurilla, has postponed his testimony tomorrow in front of congressional leaders due to rising tension in the Middle East.

The Senate Armed Services Committee confirms that their hearing Thursday with the Commander of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), General Michael E. Kurilla, has been postponed until further notice.

Satellite imagery from Monday of Naval Support Facility Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean, roughly 2,000 miles from Iran, showed 4 B-52H Long-Range Strategic Bombers as well as at least 6 F-15E Strike Eagles, alongside 6 KC-135 Aerial-Refueling Tankers and a C-5M Heavy-Lift Aircraft.

Credit for the imagery goes to @MT_Anderson on X.

The Israel Defense Force has been on extremely high alert in recent days for possible escalation with Iran, according to Israeli officials who spoke with Axios.

Interesting…

Al-Arabiya reports that military aircraft, believed to likely be Israeli, are currently flying over Southern Syria.