US Moves Personnel From Largest Middle East Base As Trump Weighs Iran Strike

The U.S. military has begun moving some personnel out of Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, the largest American base in the Middle East, as President Donald Trump weighs potential military action against Iran amid escalating tensions, multiple outlets reported Wednesday.

Some personnel were advised to leave the base — which houses approximately 10,000 American troops — by Wednesday evening, according to the Associated Press. The move comes as Trump has signaled possible intervention in Iran, telling anti-government protesters on Tuesday that “help is on the way.”

The president has recently leaned toward ordering military strikes but has received briefings on a range of options, according to The Wall Street Journal.

“It’s a posture change and not an ordered evacuation,” one diplomat told Reuters, saying he was not aware that a specific reason had been given for the change.

Qatar’s International Media Office (IMO) confirmed Wednesday that such measures were being “undertaken in response to the current regional tensions.”

“The IMO reaffirms that the State of Qatar continues to implement all necessary measures to safeguard the security and safety of its citizens and residents as a top priority, including actions related to the protection of critical infrastructure and military facilities,” the media office said in a