The United States has begun pulling some military personnel out of key bases in the Middle East as tensions with Iran escalate sharply, following a deadly crackdown on protests inside the country and renewed threats of US military intervention. Iran, in turn, has warned that any American strike would trigger attacks on US bases across the region.
Two diplomatic sources told AFP that some personnel were advised to leave the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar by Wednesday evening. A US official described the move to CNN as a “precaution” amid rising regional tensions, stressing it was not an ordered evacuation. Al Udeid is the largest US military base in the Middle East and hosts around 10,000 American troops.
Reuters reported that Washington was withdrawing some personnel from bases in the region following warnings from Tehran. A senior Iranian official said neighbouring countries hosting US troops had been told they would be targeted if Washington strikes Iran.
Meanwhile, a senior Iranian official told Reuters that Tehran has urged US allies to prevent any American attack on Iran, warning that US bases in countries including Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Turkey would be targeted if Washington strikes.
US President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened to intervene in Iran, particularly after reports of a soaring death toll from the ongoing crackdown. In an interview with CBS News, Trump warned of “very strong action” if Iran carries out executions of detained protesters. “If they hang them, you’re going to see some things,” he said.
Iran signals swift trials, mass funerals held
Iran’s judiciary chief, Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejei, signalled fast trials and executions in remarks aired on state television. “If we want to do something, we have to do that fast,” he said, comments that appeared to directly challenge Trump’s warning.
Activists say at least 2,571 people have been killed in the crackdown, a figure described as unprecedented in decades. The Human Rights Activists News Agency said more than 18,100 people have been detained.
On Wednesday, tens of thousands of mourners gathered near Tehran University for a mass funeral of security forces and civilians killed during the unrest. Chants blaming the United States for Iran’s economic hardship echoed through the crowd, alongside calls of “Death to America”.
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