U.S. and UK pull staff from Qatar base as tensions with Iran rise

U.S. and UK pull staff from Qatar base as tensions with Iran rise
Anewz

The U.S. and UK are reducing personnel at Qatar’s Al-Udeid air base as President Donald Trump weighs possible action against Iran over its violent crackdown on protesters.

Officials said the partial U.S. withdrawal is a “precautionary measure,” with some UK military personnel also being pulled. Qatar’s government said the steps reflect “current regional tensions.”

Al-Udeid is the largest U.S. military base in the Middle East, hosting around 10,000 U.S. personnel and about 100 UK staff. It remains unclear how many will leave.

A UK Ministry of Defence spokesperson declined to comment, citing operational security. Reuters reports that some personnel had been advised to leave but there was no sign of a mass evacuation.

The move follows Trump’s warning that Iran would face “very strong action” if protesters are executed. Rights groups say more than 2,400 demonstrators have been killed in recent unrest.

Iran has warned it would retaliate against any U.S. attack. Senior adviser Ali Shamkhani said Tehran’s response capability had already been demonstrated during past confrontations.

The U.S. mission in Saudi Arabia has also urged staff and citizens to limit non-essential travel to military sites in the region.

Trump has repeatedly urged Iranians to continue protesting and warned that those responsible for killings would “pay a very big price.” Iranian leaders, meanwhile, accuse Washington of seeking a pretext for military intervention.

The protests began in late December over economic hardship and have since evolved into one of the most serious challenges to Iran’s leadership in decades.

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