Iran Tensions: US Mideast Bases Partially Evacuated, Netanyahu’s Plane Leaves Israel
The US is partially evacuating some personnel from key bases in the Middle East in a precautionary move, as tensions with Iran soar over potential military strikes, reported Reuters citing a US official.
Earlier, three diplomats told Reuters that some personnel had been advised to leave the US Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar by Wednesday evening, with one of them describing the move as “posture change” rather than an “ordered evacuation.”
The US moves come as tensions with Iran reach a breaking point amid a wave of large-scale anti-government protests sweeping Iranian cities.
The US President, Donald Trump, has repeatedly threatened to intervene to protect Iranian protesters, saying he was considering “strong options,” including a military action. On Tuesday, he urged Iranian protesters to take over institutions, ensuring them that “help is on the way.”
Meanwhile, Iranian officials have vowed strong retaliation if the US targeted the country with military strikes. Moreover, an Iranian official told Reuters that Tehran had asked US regional allies to prevent an attack on Iran, warning that US bases in those countries will be attacked in response.
On the other hand, an Israeli official noted that Israel assesses that Trump has approved an intervention in Iran, though the specific timing and scale of the operation remain undisclosed.
In light of this, Israel’s official state aircraft, “Wing of Zion,” has departed Israeli airspace to an unknown destination, reported the Times of Israel.
According to flight tracking sites, the plane left from the Nevatim Air Force base in Israel toward the Mediterranean. Although this maneuver was previously used to protect the aircraft from Iranian missile threats, unnamed officials insist the flight is part of a regular training mission and not a response to current tensions.
