US military authorizes voluntary departure of troops' dependents across Mideast, officials say

The American military has authorized “the voluntary departure” of troops’ dependents from locations across the Middle East as tensions with Iran have risen, two U.S. officials said Wednesday. One U.S. defense official said the order came from Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. That official said the U.S. military was working with the State Department and its allies in the region “to maintain a constant state of readiness.” The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss a decision that had yet to be made public. The State Department is preparing to order the departure of all nonessential personnel from the...