The Pentagon has begun moving nonessential military personnel out of the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar following threats from Tehran that Iran may carry out retaliatory strikes on U.S. military bases in the region, according to reports on Wednesday.
Citing three unnamed diplomatic sources, Reuters reported that some U.S. personnel at the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, which houses 10,000 troops, had been advised to leave the area by the end of the day. The New York Times, citing two unnamed U.S. military officials, reported that only nonessential military personnel would be moved.
The exact number of personnel being moved, and where they are now stationed, is not clear.
Qatar confirmed the personnel transfers on Wednesday in a statement, writing that “measures are being undertaken in response to the current regional tensions.”
“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 Qatari government wrote in a statement.
The Washington Times has reached out to the Pentagon for comment.
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Iran on Wednesday warned neighboring countries hosting U.S. forces that it would launch strikes on American military bases if Washington attacks, according to a new report.
The revelation follows comments from President Trump on Tuesday that the U.S. would intervene in Iran if the regime begins to execute protesters. Iranian authorities reportedly have killed thousands of protesters, according to some estimates.
Mr. Trump told Iranian protesters to “take over” governmental institutions on Tuesday and said “help is on its way,” without specifying what U.S. intervention in the region would look like.
Tehran launched a telegraphed missile attack on the Al Udeid Air Base in June after U.S. forces bombed three of Iran’s nuclear enrichment facilities. During that attack, U.S. forces at the base were moved off the base before the strikes. There is no evidence that such movements are happening this week.
The threat of military strikes comes as Iran tries to quell nationwide protests that have been raging for weeks. Reports have indicated that Iranian security forces have used automatic weapons and sniper rifles against protesters, resulting in more than 2,000 deaths.
Still, it is unclear if Tehran is nearing collapse. Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi, who met with Iranian officials in Tehran this week, said the facts on the ground are far less extreme than what has been reported in the Western press and the regime is completely intact.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reportedly also met with Turkish and United Arab Emirates officials this week. According to state-affiliated media, Mr. Araghchi told UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed that “calm has prevailed” in Iran, suggesting the worst of the protests could be over.
But further violent retaliation against demonstrators could inflame tensions. Iran’s judiciary has made it clear that punishments for those arrested during the protests would be carried out swiftly.
• Vaughn Cockayne can be reached at vcockayne@washingtontimes.com.
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