The US military is quietly relocating troops stationed across the Middle East, while the State Department scales back staffing at diplomatic posts amid continuing security threats and President Donald Trump’s consideration of a major strike against Iran.
The US military is quietly relocating troops stationed across the Middle East, while the State Department scales back staffing at diplomatic posts amid continuing security threats and President Donald Trump’s consideration of a major strike against Iran.
US personnel based in Jordan, Qatar and Kuwait were ordered to move in recent days, according to a US official and two people familiar with the directives who spoke to NBC News.
At the same time, chiefs of mission at several US diplomatic facilities in the region were informed Wednesday that their posts would begin operating with fewer personnel, two US officials told the outlet.
The State Department later said on social media that the US Embassy in Saudi Arabia had been placed under “ordered departure,” a designation that limits operations to emergency staff.
The significant drawdown is reportedly linked to continuing threats from Iran and Iranian-backed Houthi rebels operating in Yemen.
“Iranian-supported Houthis have increasingly engaged in hostilities against Saudi Arabia, including attacks on civilian airports and other critical infrastructure, resulting in civilian casualties and severe travel disruptions,” State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott wrote on X on Wednesday as he announced the “ordered departure.”
“The safety and security of Department personnel and their families remain our highest priority and we will continue to take all necessary steps to protect them.”
In comments to NBC News, Timothy Hawkins, a spokesman for US Central Command, sought to play down the significance of the troop movements.
President Donald Trump is reportedly weighing whether to launch a major attack on Iran
President Donald Trump is reportedly weighing whether to launch a major attack on Iran
The US military has quietly been moving troops out of parts of the Middle East amid continuing threats, according to a new report. US service members are pictured at a military training camp in Kuwait in 2023
The US military has quietly been moving troops out of parts of the Middle East amid continuing threats, according to a new report. US service members are pictured at a military training camp in Kuwait in 2023
The reported withdrawal comes amid threats from Iran and Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen, pictured
The reported withdrawal comes amid threats from Iran and Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen, pictured
Iranian missiles were displayed in Tehran’s Azadi Square in July
Iranian missiles were displayed in Tehran’s Azadi Square in July
“We regularly move US service members and assets to optimize mission readiness,” he said, adding: “We do not discuss related movements for operational security reasons.”
“We regularly move US service members and assets to optimize mission readiness,” he said, adding: “We do not discuss related movements for operational security reasons.”
He nevertheless emphasized that “US forces remain vigilant and ready to protect American personnel and interests across the region.”
However, people familiar with the discussions told NBC News that moving American forces away from potential danger is part of broader military planning as Trump weighs resuming major combat operations in Iran—possibly before next month’s midterm elections.
One US official said the administration believes that pushing Iran toward an economic breaking point, followed by fresh military strikes, could pressure Tehran to negotiate an end to the war and agree to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
The US naval blockade has already cost Iran $25 billion in crude oil exports, Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of US Central Command, said in a video posted to social media Friday.
“The Islamic regime is clearly feeling the economic pain,” he said.
Officials said any renewed US operation against Iran could be limited in duration, similar to the mission launched by Washington in June 2025, known as Operation Midnight Hammer.
One option reportedly under consideration is the use of the 21,600-pound “mother of all bombs” against Iranian nuclear sites and energy infrastructure.
The State Department announced on Wednesday that the US Embassy in Saudi Arabia (pictured) is under ‘ordered departure’
State Department Spokesman Tommy Pigott cited Houthi attacks for the decision to evacuate the embassy Source: X/@statedeptspox
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Plans developed by the Pentagon, which were revealed by CNN following conversations with multiple US officials, could be implemented before or after November’s midterm elections if Trump authorizes renewed combat operations.
The enormous weapon, officially known as the GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast bomb, or MOAB, is capable of devastating an area equivalent to nine city blocks.
But military insiders have warned that the spectacular explosion might do little to achieve Trump’s ultimate objective of forcing Tehran into submission.
Another source revealed that the enormous bomb features explicitly in plans to attack Iran’s suspected nuclear facilities, including the heavily fortified Pickaxe Mountain complex.
US and Israeli officials believe Tehran has stored components of its nuclear program at the site, which Trump has repeatedly threatened to attack.
But despite the MOAB’s extraordinary destructive power, military experts have serious doubts about its ability to penetrate the thick layers of granite believed to protect the underground facility.
One option the federal government is said to be considering is deploying the 21,600-pound ‘mother of all bombs’ (pictured) against Iranian nuclear facilities and energy infrastructure
Unlike specialized bunker-busting weapons, the MOAB is primarily designed to unleash a devastating blast across a vast area rather than drill deep beneath the earth.
‘The MOAB is a massive information operation type weapon that is great for huge area clearance but not much else,’ a source familiar with Pentagon planning told CNN.
‘It is definitely not designed as a deep penetration warhead.’
The weapon could inflict catastrophic damage above ground while leaving deeply buried nuclear installations largely intact.
Its enormous blast radius would also raise serious concerns about civilian casualties, particularly if Iranian energy facilities near populated areas were targeted.
Nevertheless, some officials believe the psychological impact of dropping such a terrifying weapon could demonstrate overwhelming American military strength without restarting a full-scale bombing campaign.
‘POTUS has unfortunately put himself in a situation where he is almost compelled to do something and, without the ammunition designed to penetrate that level … you have to look at psychological effects for which the MOAB is well-equipped,’ the source added.
The dilemma comes as Trump confronts growing frustration over a war that has dragged on for more than six months without a negotiated settlement.
Republicans are increasingly anxious that the conflict could damage their electoral prospects in the approaching midterms, while the president remains reluctant to withdraw without securing a clear victory.
Although some administration officials have suggested the United States has effectively won, Trump has stopped short of declaring the conflict over.
He has also reportedly resisted suggestions from outside allies that he should simply bring American forces home, arguing that such a withdrawal would be perceived as defeat.
Instead, the president vowed on his Truth Social platform on October 8 that ‘we will not be attacking Iran at any time prior to the Midterm Elections, to be held in the United States on November 3.’
He added that while Iran is in ‘very bad condition, both Economically and Militarily,’ the US has been having ‘productive discussions’ with Iranian officials.
Our News Outlet has reached out to the White House, Pentagon, State Department and US Central Command for comment.
