United States reduces diplomatic presence in Gulf states and the region

In depth

The State Department ordered non-essential staff and their family members to leave Saudi Arabia, and at the same time is reducing personnel at embassies in Jordan, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Lebanon. According to CNN, the move was made quietly and amid intensifying Houthi attacks and concern about regional escalation.

According to Walla, Israel pressed the US to strike Iran right now, without success. According to Ynet, US intelligence warns that Tehran is advancing advanced plans to assassinate senior American officials. According to Kan News, the evacuation was carried out due to Iranian plans to harm staff at embassies and bases in the Gulf.