As the threat of US strikes increases, the UK withdraws personnel from the Tehran embassy.

 

The UK Foreign Office said the decision was a 'precautionary measure' (file photo)(Image: EPA)

As the threat of US strikes against Iran prompts warnings from a number of countries to their Middle Eastern citizens, the UK has temporarily removed staff from its embassy in Tehran. The UK Foreign Office stated that it was a "precautionary measure" and that its embassy in Tehran continued to function remotely. It also changed its travel advice to say that "all but essential travel" to Israel should be avoided. Some non-emergency employees and their families were informed on Friday by the US embassy in Israel that they could leave the country. It comes one day after talks between Washington and Tehran, widely regarded as a last-ditch effort to avoid war over Iran's nuclear ambitions, were held.

Due to the possibility of hostilities, a number of other nations, including China, India, and Canada, have instructed their citizens to leave Iran as soon as possible. President Donald Trump has threatened military action against Tehran if it does not reach a deal about its nuclear programme.

 While Iran has pledged to respond to an attack with force, he has directed the largest US military buildup since the 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq. On Friday, US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee advised embassy staff who wished to leave Israel to "do so TODAY", the New York Times reported.

 He reportedly said in email there was "no need to panic, but for those desiring to leave, it's important to make plans to depart sooner rather than later".

 A statement on the embassy's website said they "may wish to consider leaving Israel while commercial flights are available".

 It comes just days after a security review, the US government ordered all non-essential staff to leave its embassy in Beirut, Lebanon. In the meantime, the State Department has made the announcement that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will go to Israel on Monday to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Rubio will discuss "a range of regional priorities" including Iran, a spokesman said.

Photo credit: BBC

The US and its allies suspect Iran is moving towards the development of a nuclear weapon, something Tehran has always denied.

 Thursday's indirect talks in Geneva between the two countries resulted in "significant progress", mediator Oman said, adding that further negotiations would take place soon.

 Iran also hailed "good progress".  The United States has not provided an official response. In the meantime, Vice President JD Vance told the Washington Post on Thursday that strikes were still being considered, but there was "no chance" that the United States would get into a long-running war. "I think we all prefer the diplomatic option," Vance said.  "However, it really depends on the Iranians' actions and words." In recent weeks, the United States has sent thousands of troops and what Trump has referred to as an "armada" to the region. This "armada" includes two aircraft carriers, other warships, fighter jets, and refueling aircraft. He said on 19 February that the world would find out within 10 days whether the US would reach a deal with Iran, or take military action.

 "We have to make a meaningful deal otherwise bad things happen," Trump said at the time.

 Iran says its nuclear programme is only intended for peaceful purposes, though it has in recent years enriched uranium up to near weapons-grade level.

 It claims that enrichment stopped after the United States bombed three of its nuclear facilities in June, joining the conflict between Iran and Israel. At the time, Trump claimed that the facilities had been "obliterated." The UN's nuclear watchdog said on Friday that it had been refused access to the uranium enrichment sites ever since, calling it a cause of growing concern.

 In a confidential report to its member states, the International Atomic Energy Agency said it was critical that its staff inspect the nuclear sites without delay.

Source: BBC

Read More: Anxious days inside Iran as speculation grows of US strikes