U.S. pulls some personnel from Middle East bases as Iran warns of strikes if attacked
The United States is withdrawing some personnel from key military bases in the Middle East amid heightened tensions with Iran, a U.S. official said Wednesday, as Tehran warned regional neighbors it would target American facilities if Washington launches strikes. The U.N. Security Council is due to meet on Iran on Thursday at the request of the United States.
- Advertisement -
A U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the drawdowns are precautionary. A Western military official said signals point to the possibility of a U.S. operation, while cautioning that unpredictability is part of the current administration’s approach and could be intended to keep adversaries off balance.
President Donald Trump signaled a wait-and-see posture, telling reporters he has been informed that killings tied to Iran’s crackdown on protests are subsiding and that he does not believe there is a plan for large-scale executions. He did not rule out military action, saying his administration is “going to watch what the process is,” and noted receiving what he called a “very good statement” from Iran.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said there is “no plan” to hang protesters, telling Fox News that executions are “out of the question.” The Norway-based Iran Human Rights Society says executions by hanging are common in Iranian prisons.
Two European officials said U.S. intervention could come within 24 hours, though the scope and timing were unclear. An Israeli official also said it appeared Trump had decided to act, without offering specifics.
Qatar said drawdowns at Al Udeid Air Base — the largest U.S. military installation in the Middle East and the forward headquarters of U.S. Central Command — are being carried out in response to current regional tensions. Three diplomats said some personnel at Al Udeid had been told to leave, though there were no immediate signs of large-scale departures like those witnessed before an Iranian missile strike last year. Britain is also withdrawing some personnel from an air base in Qatar, the I Paper reported; the U.K. Defense Ministry had no immediate comment.
The United States also maintains the headquarters of the Navy’s Fifth Fleet in Bahrain and bases across the region. An Iranian official said Tehran has privately warned countries including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Turkey that U.S. bases on their soil would be targeted if Washington strikes Iran. The official said direct contacts between Araqchi and U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff have been suspended.
The unrest inside Iran — which began two weeks ago over dire economic conditions and has rapidly escalated — is being described by both Iran and Western governments as the most violent since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. An Iranian official has said more than 2,000 people have died, while a rights group put the toll above 2,600. The U.S.-based HRANA rights group said it has verified the deaths of 2,403 protesters and 147 government-affiliated individuals. An internet blackout has hampered the flow of information.
Despite the turmoil, a Western official said Iran’s government does not appear near collapse and its security apparatus remains in control. Iranian authorities have accused the United States and Israel of fomenting the unrest and have aired television images of large funeral processions for people killed in the violence, with mourners waving flags and holding pictures of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Trump has for days openly threatened to intervene in support of protesters, telling CBS News he would take “very strong action” if Iran executes demonstrators and urging Iranians to keep protesting, saying “help is on the way.”
- U.S. begins precautionary personnel drawdowns at Middle East bases, including Al Udeid in Qatar
- Iran warns regional neighbors it will strike U.S. bases if Washington attacks
- U.N. Security Council set to meet on Iran on Thursday
- Death tolls from unrest vary: rights groups cite more than 2,600 dead; Iranian official says over 2,000
- President Trump signals monitoring stance but keeps military options open
By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.
