U.S. to pull personnel from Middle East as Iran breaches obligations

U.S. President Donald Trump said personnel were being moved out of the Middle East because "it could be a dangerous place," insisting that the United States would not allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon.

On Thursday, the UN nuclear watchdog's board of governors declared Iran in breach of its non-proliferation obligations, for the first time in 20 years. Iran announced counter-measures, as an official said a "friendly country" had warned it of a potential Israeli attack.

The decision by the U.S. to evacuate some personnel comes at a volatile moment in the region. Trump's efforts to reach a nuclear deal with Iran appear to be deadlocked and U.S. intelligence indicates that Israel has been making preparations for a strike against Iran's nuclear facilities.

"They are being moved out because it could be a dangerous place, and we'll see what happens," Trump told reporters. "We've given notice to move out."

Asked whether anything can be done to lower the temperature in the region, Trump said: "They can't have a nuclear weapon. Very simple, they can't have a nuclear weapon."

However on Thursday, the UN's International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) declared Iran in breach of its non-proliferation obligations for the first time in almost 20 years, raising the prospect of reporting it to the UN Security Council.

The step is the culmination of several stand-offs between the Vienna-based IAEA and Iran since Trump pulled the U.S. out of a nuclear deal between Tehran and major powers in 2018 during his first term, after which that accord unravelled.

Iran almost immediately announced counter-measures to the resolution, state TV said on Thursday, including the opening of a new enrichment site and upgrading of centrifuges in Fordow nuclear facility.

The IAEA's announcement was also criticized by Mohammad Eslami, head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran.

"What we observe today is a series of political moves by the three European countries, Britain, France and Germany, guided by the United States and aided by the IAEA Director General [Rafael Grossi], who is under the influence of the Zionist regime. Their goal is to pressure us into giving concessions," Eslami said.

Two days previously, Eslami said "Grossi has revealed himself as part of the long-standing campaign of psychological operations against Iran," saying international organizations have become the "tools of dominant powers" guided by Israeli influence.

The declaration that Iran is in breach of its non-proliferation obligations will further complicate nuclear talks with the U.S. next slated for Sunday in Oman, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said.

After the IAEA decision, the Israeli Foreign Ministry said Tehran's actions undermine the global Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and posed an imminent threat to regional and international security and stability.

Iran is a signatory to the NPT while Israel is not and is believed to have the Middle East's sole nuclear arsenal.