USAupdated 1h ago2 min read
Trump Considers Iran Strikes As U.S. Evacuates Troops And Diplomats From Middle East Bases
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U.S. military is quietly reducing troop presence at bases across the Middle East. State Department orders departure of diplomats from multiple posts in the region.
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Troops and diplomats pulled back
The United States began reducing its military presence at several bases across the Middle East while ordering additional diplomatic personnel to leave posts in the region, as President Donald Trump considered launching another major military operation against Iran, NBC News reported on Wednesday. NBC News said two American officials and two people familiar with the developments indicated the Pentagon quietly relocated troops in recent days in response to continuing regional security threats, including those posed by Iran. The State Department announced the US Embassy in Saudi Arabia had been placed under “ordered departure
requiring the mission to operate with emergency personnel only, as attacks by the Iranian-backed Houthis in Saudi Arabia
had heightened security concerns, State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott wrote on social media. CENTCOM spokesperson Timothy Hawkins said, “We regularly move US service members and assets to optimize mission readiness,” and he added, “We do not discuss related movements for operational security reasons.”
Houthis cited, strikes weighed
State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott attributed the heightened security concerns in Saudi Arabia to attacks by the Iranian-backed Houthis, writing, “Iranian-supported Houthis have increasingly engaged in hostilities against Saudi Arabia.” Pigott emphasized that protecting American diplomatic personnel and their families remains a central priority, stating, “The safety and security of Department personnel and their families remain our highest priority.”
The Independent said the State Department ordered some diplomats and family members to depart from its missions in Saudi Arabia and drew up plans for further withdrawals from other embassies as Trump weighed options for striking Iran next month. The Independent also said Houthi attacks in Saudi Arabia killed at least two people and injured eight others at a civilian airport in Dammam, and it said two people were killed in a drone attack on an oil field on Wednesday.
Planning for renewed pressure
Senior American military commanders presented Trump with options for renewed strikes against Iranian targets, and the reporting said the troop and staffing moves were taking place as the Trump administration evaluated whether to resume major combat operations against Iran. The reporting said sources familiar with the administration's deliberations indicated no final decision had been reached, and it noted Trump previously ruled out new American attacks before the midterms.
NBC News said the U.S. troops stationed in Jordan, Qatar and Kuwait were among those being redeployed, and it said Washington was maintaining a limited force at its bases including personnel responsible for air defense and security. The Independent said the New York Times reported that the US and Israeli militaries had developed specific plans to resume strikes on Iran after the US midterm elections, describing the outlet's characterization as a “short but intensive operation” targeting Tehran’s energy infrastructure, nuclear facilities, and missile and drone arsenals.
