US prepares to send diplomats back to Middle East embassies after Iran war evacuations, NYT reports

The U.S. flag flies at the U.S. embassy, after Iraqi security sources said the embassy was targeted with drone and rocket attacks and called them the most intense since the start of the... Purchase Licensing Rights , opens new tab Read more Aug 25 (Reuters) - The U.S. State Department is preparing to return diplomats to embassies in the Middle East that were evacuated ​before and during the war with Iran, the New York ‌Times reported on Tuesday, citing an internal State Department document. The return of Foreign Service officers and the scaling back of emergency measures at U.S. missions in the ​region could begin as early as this week, the report ​said. Sign up here. Reuters was not immediately able to verify the report. The ⁠U.S. Department of State could not immediately be reached for comment ​outside regular business hours. Embassies slated to restore higher staffing levels include those ​in Israel, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan, Oman, Iraq and Kuwait, according to the report. In a statement quoted by the New York Times, the State Department said it "continuously ​reviews the security posture at our diplomatic missions around the world." "Based ​on our latest assessment, we are adjusting our staffing posture at certain posts in ‌the ⁠Middle East to ensure we can continue advancing U.S. foreign policy objectives while protecting the safety and security of our personnel," it added. According to the document, the first diplomats to return would be assigned to the ​U.S. Embassy in ​Lebanon, although staffing ⁠there would remain below full levels. Ultimately, staff would return completely to the U.S. embassies in Israel, Jordan ​and Oman, the report said. Posts in the United Arab ​Emirates, ⁠Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Lebanon would initially be capped at 85% staffing, while missions in Iraq, Kuwait and Bahrain would be limited to 75%, according ⁠to ​the document. The staff reductions began in February, when ​Washington authorized voluntary departures of non-emergency personnel and family members from Israel amid tensions with Iran. Reporting ​by Bipasha Dey in Bengaluru; Editing by Alex Richardson and Conor Humphries Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. , opens new tab Suggested Topics: Middle East X Facebook Linkedin Email Link Purchase Licensing Rights