A KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 349th Expeditionary Refueling Squadron, is parked on the flight line at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, March 15, 2022. / Senior Airman Jacob Dastas, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Washington D.C. Bureau Chief

(Worthy News) – The United States has begun evacuating some military personnel from Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, as President Donald Trump considers potential military action against Iran amid escalating regional tensions and a deepening internal crisis inside the Islamic Republic.

U.S. officials confirmed that some personnel were advised to leave the Middle East’s largest American military base by Tuesday evening as a precautionary measure. Al Udeid houses approximately 10,000 U.S. troops and serves as a central hub for U.S. air and command operations across the region.

The drawdown comes as Washington assesses heightened threats following warnings from senior Iranian officials that Tehran would strike U.S. bases hosted by regional allies if the United States launches military action. A U.S. official told Reuters that the withdrawals are precautionary in nature given the deteriorating security environment.

President Trump on Tuesday addressed Iranians protesting against their government, telling demonstrators that “help is on its way,” while also urging Americans inside Iran to evacuate immediately. The comments fueled speculation that U.S. intervention—military or otherwise—may be imminent. The administration has already issued an urgent alert instructing U.S. citizens to leave Iran and prepare exit plans that do not rely on government assistance.

The U.S. maintains no diplomatic presence in Iran and cannot provide consular services. The State Department classifies Iran as a Level 4 “Do Not Travel” destination, citing risks of terrorism, civil unrest, arbitrary detention, and internet blackouts.

Tensions surged further following reports that the president has been briefed on a wide range of military and covert options extending beyond standard airstrikes. According to CBS News, Trump’s national security team is scheduled to review updated Iran options at the White House, as the president continues to warn Tehran against harming protesters.

The current crisis follows a brief but intense conflict in June, when U.S. forces struck Iranian nuclear sites during a 12-day war. Iran retaliated by launching missiles at Al Udeid Air Base, though most were intercepted by U.S. and allied air defenses, resulting in limited damage.

Meanwhile, protests inside Iran continue to intensify. Human rights groups and opposition-linked outlets report sharply conflicting casualty figures, ranging from several hundred to tens of thousands killed, as security forces crack down amid nationwide demonstrations driven by soaring inflation, a collapsing currency, and calls to end clerical rule. Internet shutdowns, mass arrests, and reports of widespread killings have drawn international condemnation.

European governments are also reassessing their presence in Iran. French media reported that Paris has withdrawn nonessential diplomatic staff from its Tehran embassy, while the European Parliament has banned Iranian diplomats from entering its facilities across Europe.

Trump has further escalated pressure on Tehran by imposing a 25 percent tariff on any country doing business with the Iranian regime and by blocking access to Iranian state-linked media outlets affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

In Israel, officials are closely monitoring developments. Israeli media report that Jerusalem believes Trump may intervene militarily if Iranian authorities escalate violence against demonstrators. The Israel Defense Forces said it remains on high alert while emphasizing that the protests inside Iran remain an internal matter.

Regional allies, particularly Gulf states, have urged caution. Saudi and Gulf officials have reportedly warned Washington that an overly broad U.S. strike could backfire by allowing Tehran to frame the uprising as foreign-backed, potentially suppressing the protests and destabilizing global energy markets. Some have advocated limited, targeted actions combined with measures such as restoring internet access via satellite services to support demonstrators without empowering the regime.

As Iran threatens retaliation, warns of potential disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, and regional bases brace for possible escalation, the Middle East stands on edge awaiting the next move from Washington.

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