Akshay DidwaniyaAmerican officials are expected to soon begin evacuating diplomatic missions across the Middle East or trimming staff numbers, according to a CNN report citing sources familiar with the matter.
US Embassies Across The Region Brace For Possible Evacuations
US authorities are expected to soon start evacuating their diplomatic missions in the Middle East or cutting staff levels. CNN reported this, citing unnamed sources.
The State Department earlier confirmed that part of the staff had already left the US embassy in Saudi Arabia. However, officials pushed back on media claims that the department was preparing a similar order for other embassies in the region, calling those reports inaccurate.
What CNN’s Sources Are Saying
According to the broadcaster, citing its sources, ”While the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, remains the only American diplomatic mission in the region that has been ordered to leave… others are expected to receive similar instructions, and staff at the rest will be reduced in line with personnel restrictions.”
Military Options Stay On The Table
US forces stationed across the Middle East are reportedly ready to launch “new, potentially large scale military operations” against Iran. They could move within 96 hours of receiving an order from President Donald Trump.
On Sunday, Trump said he needs to make a call on the Iran standoff soon. He framed it as a choice between “ending” the Islamic republic or striking a deal.
A Pattern That Echoes February’s Standoff
On Thursday, NBC reported that the US is gradually pulling out military and diplomatic staff from countries across the region. The outlet said the move resembles what happened at the start of the Iran conflict back in February. CNN separately noted that the evacuation process appears to be unfolding amid considerable chaos.
Pratik Agrawal
Mayur Mohta
Aditya Didwaniya
