The United States has begun withdrawing some of its personnel from military bases in the Middle East, at a time of high regional tensions, following Iran's warnings that it will strike American bases if Washington launches military attacks.
A US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the withdrawal is being made as a precautionary measure due to the increased risk in the region. In parallel, the United Kingdom is also withdrawing personnel from an air base in Qatar, according to British media reports, while the Ministry of Defense has not yet given an official reaction.
The moves come as Iran is facing its worst domestic protests since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Authorities in Tehran have warned neighbors that American bases in the region will be targeted if the US intervenes militarily, in response to Donald Trump's repeated threats to support anti-government protesters.
A Western military official told Reuters that all signs point to a possible US strike, although uncertainty and unpredictability are considered part of the US administration's strategy. Two European officials said a military intervention could happen within 24 hours, while an Israeli official said Trump appeared to have made the decision to intervene, although the exact scale and timing were still unknown.
Qatar confirmed that it is cutting personnel at Al Udeid Air Base - the largest US base in the Middle East - due to the tense situation. Western diplomats said some employees have been ordered to leave, but there is no sign yet of a mass evacuation like the one that occurred before an Iranian missile attack last year.
Protests in Iran, which began as a reaction to dire economic conditions, have escalated rapidly and been met with a brutal crackdown by authorities, with thousands reportedly killed. Both Tehran and Western countries have described the unrest as the most violent in more than four decades.
