The situation in the Middle East escalates, and crude oil surges by 5%! The United States ordered the evacuation of some embassy staff in Iraq!

Officials said the United States ordered some staff to evacuate Baghdad and allowed military families to evacuate the Middle East. Earlier, Iran threatened to attack US bases if nuclear negotiations broke down.

The US State Department said the decision to reduce personnel in Iraq was "based on our latest analysis." The Pentagon statement said that Defense Secretary Pete Hagerseth had approved the evacuation of US military families stationed throughout the Middle East.

Neither statement mentioned specific threats, but the media previously broadcast an interview with President Donald Trump, in which Trump said he was increasingly losing confidence in the prospects of negotiating new restrictions on Iran's nuclear program. At the same time, Iran warned that if negotiations broke down and Iran was attacked, it would retaliate against US military assets in the Middle East.

"I sincerely hope that it won't come to that, and that negotiations will lead to a solution," Iranian Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh said in a televised speech. "But if that doesn't happen, and the conflict is forced upon us, the other side will undoubtedly suffer greater losses. We will not hesitate to target all U.S. bases in host countries."

Earlier reports said that the U.S. Navy was preparing to evacuate on orders, and WTI crude oil futures subsequently surged 5.2% in response to rising security risks in the region. Iraq is OPEC's second-largest oil producer.

Earlier in the day, the British Navy issued a rare warning to seafarers that increased tensions in the Middle East could affect shipping, including shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Shipping risks in the Middle East are high, but the UK Maritime Trade Operations Office (UKMTO), a liaison between the navy and commercial shipping, rarely issues such warnings.

“UKMTO has been informed of heightened tensions in the region, which could lead to an escalation of military activity with direct impacts on seafarers,” the warning said. “Vessels are advised to proceed with caution through the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman and Strait of Hormuz.”

The move by Hegseth applies to families of military personnel stationed in the US Central Command area of ​​operations, which includes much of the Middle East, the US statement said.

“Central Command is coordinating closely with relevant departments of the State Department, as well as our allies and partners in the region, to maintain a state of readiness to support any mission around the world,” the Pentagon said.

Ahead of the sixth round of talks in Muscat, Oman, on Sunday, Tehran said it was preparing a new proposal on its nuclear activities. Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi said on Tuesday that the proposal could serve as a basis for work, suggesting that Iran was considering a temporary agreement as a framework while technical details – many of which are very complex – are negotiated.

Iraqi government sources said the move was not just aimed at Iraq but also at several countries in the Middle East.

But Iraq has not recorded any security signs indicating the need to evacuate. Earlier, according to CCTV News, Sabah Nuaman, spokesman for the commander-in-chief of the Iraqi armed forces, denied the news that the US troops in Iraq were preparing to withdraw on the evening of the 11th local time.

Market reaction: Gold and crude oil rose together, and crude oil rose by 5%

WTI crude oil futures closed up $3.17, or 4.88%, at $68.15 per barrel. Brent August crude oil futures closed up $2.9, or 4.33%, at $69.77 per barrel. Spot gold rose more than $20 in a short period of 30 minutes to $3,343 per ounce.