U.S. evacuates personnel from Qatar base amid Iran tensions
American and British military personnel have been advised to leave Al Udeid Air Base by Wednesday evening as Washington and Tehran escalate rhetoric.
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Some personnel at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, the largest U.S. military installation in the Middle East, have been advised to evacuate by Wednesday evening, a U.S. official said. The decision came as a senior Iranian official referenced an earlier Iranian attack on the facility.
The official, speaking to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive plans, described the move as a precautionary measure. The official declined to provide further details about the evacuation, including whether it was optional or mandatory, whether it affected troops or civilian personnel, or the number of those advised to leave, citing operational security concerns.
Qatar's government confirmed the departure of some American personnel from the base, stating that such measures were being "undertaken in response to the current regional tensions." Qatar's International Media Office said the State of Qatar continues to implement measures to safeguard the security and safety of its citizens and residents.
The evacuation comes amid escalating tensions between the United States and Iran. President Trump said Wednesday that the Iranian government appeared to have stopped killing protesters, though he did not specify what that might mean for the possibility of U.S. military action. "We've been told that the killing in Iran is stopping — it's stopped — it's stopping," Trump told reporters at the White House. He said he had received the information from "very important sources on the other side" but did not disclose who provided the account.
Iran's Revolutionary Guard commander, Mohammad Pakpour, stated that Iran is prepared to respond "with firmness" to the United States. Earlier, Iranian officials said that if the U.S. attacks, American facilities in the Middle East would be considered "legitimate targets."
The base in Qatar houses approximately 10,000 soldiers. The evacuation represents a partial, precautionary adjustment rather than a full mandatory evacuation of all personnel. British military personnel stationed at the facility were also advised to leave.