Politics · United States · 1 hr ago
US reduces staffing at four Middle East embassies over threat concerns
The US State Department is reducing staffing at four Middle East embassies in Jordan, Lebanon, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
US intelligence officials say Iran has increased efforts to target American personnel, and US officials linked the staffing changes to threats from Iran and Yemen’s Houthi rebels.
The four embassies remain open under restricted operations, and staff are not being ordered to leave the countries.
Some diplomats and family members are leaving posts, though, and families say the moves have disrupted their lives after some had recently returned.
The changes come as Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia have increased and concerns about wider regional escalation grow.
Unlike the four embassies, the US has ordered nonessential personnel and their families to leave Saudi Arabia.
The State Department says staffing levels at the four embassies will continue to be evaluated and adjusted.
The United States is temporarily reducing staffing at four Middle Eastern embassies amid concerns about threats from Iran and Iranian-backed Houthi rebels.
The affected posts are in Jordan, Lebanon, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, and all remain open under restricted operations.
The State Department said the staffing changes are temporary; personnel at these four posts have not been ordered to leave, unlike some personnel in Saudi Arabia.
A memo to Secretary of State Marco Rubio said intelligence indicated Iran had substantially increased efforts to target U.S. personnel.
Some diplomats and families have described the departures as chaotic and said the financial support offered may not cover moving costs.
- Who
- The U.S. State Department and personnel at U.S. embassies in Jordan, Lebanon, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
- What
- The department is temporarily reducing staffing at the four embassies. Personnel there are not compelled to depart.
- When
- The changes were announced this week; a memo about threats was sent to Marco Rubio on Friday.
- Where
- Jordan, Lebanon, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
- Why
- U.S. officials cited threats from Iran and Yemen’s Iranian-backed Houthi rebels.
U.S. State Department
Affected diplomats and families
Aspect
U.S. State Department
side A's view
Affected diplomats and families
side B's view
Reason for staffing changes
U.S. State Department
Officials said threats from Iran and the Houthis were related to the changes.
Affected diplomats and families
Some diplomats described the departures as chaotic and said families were upset and confused.
Support for families
U.S. State Department
A State Department official said personnel and families receive per diem allowances and support for lodging and schools.
Affected diplomats and families
Some diplomats and sources said the support offered may not cover the costs of moving families.
Many families left their homes in the Middle East during the early weeks of the Iran war.
The United States ordered non-emergency personnel and family members to leave Saudi Arabia.
The State Department announced temporary staffing changes at embassies in Jordan, Lebanon, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton sent a memo to Secretary of State Marco Rubio about intelligence on Iranian efforts to target U.S. personnel.
- Embassies affected
- Jordan, Lebanon, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates
- Operational status
- Restricted operations; embassies remain open
- Threat actors cited
- Iran and Yemen’s Iranian-backed Houthi rebels
- Saudi Arabia departure order
- Non-emergency personnel and all family members
- No staffing changes reported
- Kuwait and Bahrain
2 sources
What people are saying
have received intelligence that Iran has substantially increased efforts to target U.S. personnel
The lethal plotting efforts by the Iranians against U.S. citizens have reached advanced stages in both the Middle East and certain other countries
To say it has been chaotic is an understatement
They are understandably upset, confused, and angry.