Pete Hegseth authorizes evacuation of military dependents as Middle East tensions rise

By 
 June 13, 2025

Tensions are rising in the Middle East as negotiations concerning Iran's nuclear weapon's program appear to be breaking down.

Further evidence of instability came this week when Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed that U.S. military dependents have been authorized to leave the region. 

Policy affects Iraq, Syria, Bahrain, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates

That's according to Fox New, which cited comments made to the cable network by an unnamed senior U.S. defense official on Wednesday.

"The safety and security of our service members and their families remains our highest priority and U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) is monitoring the developing tension in the Middle East. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has authorized the voluntary departure of military dependents from locations across the CENTCOM AOR," the official was quoted as saying.

"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 official added.

Fox News noted that CENTCOM is responsible for American military personnel in Iraq, Syria, Bahrain, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.

President: Strike by Israel against Iran "could very well happen"

The network pointed to a policy known as JP 3-68, which provides for the evacuation of dependents and other noncombatants when security risks are heightened.

"Voluntary departure of command‑sponsored military dependents, nonessential DOD civilian employees and their families, families of essential DOD civilian employees, and DOD dependents schools’ staff and faculty to an announced safe haven is encouraged and authorized at government expense, with return also at government expense," it reads.

Meanwhile, President Donald Trump warned on Thursday that a military strike by Israel against Iran "could happen" in the immediate future.

"I don't want to say imminent, but it looks like it's something that could very well happen," Fox News quoted the president as saying.

Trump says negotiations with Iran must get a "little bit tougher"

"Look, it's very simple, not complicated. Iran can not have a nuclear weapon," he continued. "Other than that, I want them to be successful. We'll help them be successful, we'll trade with them. We'll do whatever is necessary."

Trump stressed that he would "love to avoid the conflict" but insisted that negotiations with Iran are going to have to get a "little bit tougher."

"Meaning they're going to have to give us some things that they're not willing to give us right now," he said in an apparent reference to Iran's nuclear enrichment capabilities.
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