Some personnel at a key US military base in Qatar were advised to evacuate by Wednesday evening as tensions rose following Iran’s deadly crackdown on protesters and warnings of possible US action, a US official and Qatari authorities said.
The precautionary move came after a senior Iranian official referred to Tehran’s retaliatory missile strike on Al Udeid Air Base in June, carried out in response to earlier US attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities.
A US official, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, said the step was part of broader regional security measures. The official declined to say whether the evacuation was optional or mandatory, whether it applied to military or civilian personnel, or how many people were affected.
Early Thursday, the US Embassy in Qatar said it had advised its staff to exercise increased caution and limit non-essential travel to Al Udeid Air Base. It also urged US citizens in Qatar to take similar precautions.
In Kuwait, the US Embassy ordered a temporary halt on its personnel travelling to several military bases, including Camp Arifjan, Camp Buehring, Ali Al Salem Air Base and Camp Patriot, amid heightened regional tensions. Kuwait hosts US Army Central, Washington’s Middle East command.
Anti-government protests in Iran began in late December, and President Donald Trump has said he is prepared to launch military operations if Tehran continues to kill and detain protesters.
A day after describing the killings as “significant” and vowing that his administration would “act accordingly,” Trump told reporters he had been informed that Iran had halted its targeting of protesters and suspended execution plans, though he offered no details.
His vague remarks left it unclear what action, if any, the United States might take against Iran.
Qatar’s international media office said the security measures at Al Udeid were being taken in response to “current regional tensions” and stressed that protecting citizens, residents and critical infrastructure remained a top priority.
Al Udeid, which hosts thousands of US troops, was struck by Iranian missiles in June. While the US military said no American or Qatari personnel were harmed, a Qatari officer later said one missile was not intercepted and hit the base.
Iranian Supreme Leader adviser Ali Shamkhani warned on social media that any future US aggression would be met with a decisive response, citing the earlier strike on Al Udeid as proof of Iran’s capabilities.
US and Qatari officials said they remain in close contact, with Qatar reiterating its support for de-escalation and peaceful solutions to maintain regional stability.