The United States and United Kingdom are partially withdrawing personnel from the Al-Udeid air base in Qatar, the largest US military base in the Middle East, amid heightened concerns over Iran’s crackdown on anti-government protests. The move comes as former US President Donald Trump continues to consider whether military action against Tehran is warranted.

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Precautionary Measures Amid Rising Regional Tensions

Officials told CBS, the BBC’s US partner, that the partial withdrawal is a precautionary measure. While some UK personnel are also being removed, the exact numbers remain unclear. The Qatari government stated that the measures were in response to current regional tensions and confirmed it would continue implementing steps to safeguard citizens, residents, and critical infrastructure.

Al-Udeid hosts around 10,000 US personnel and approximately 100 UK staff, making it a critical hub for regional operations. Diplomats told Reuters that, unlike last year, there is no immediate sign of a large-scale troop evacuation.

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US and UK Diplomatic Responses

The UK Foreign Office has temporarily closed its embassy in Tehran, which will now operate remotely. Similarly, the US Mission to Saudi Arabia has advised personnel and citizens to exercise increased caution and limit non-essential travel to military installations in the region.

Several European nations have issued travel guidance due to heightened risks. Italy and Poland urged their citizens to leave Iran, while Germany recommended that airlines avoid Iranian airspace, citing potential threats from escalating conflict and anti-aviation weaponry. Lufthansa confirmed flights would avoid both Iranian and Iraqi airspace “until further notice,” and Air India warned of potential delays and cancellations.

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Iran’s Airspace Closure

Iran temporarily closed its airspace to nearly all flights from 02:45 local time (22:15 GMT) on Thursday, initially for two hours, later extended to 08:00 (03:30 GMT), according to the US Federal Aviation Administration and Reuters. Airlines rerouted flights in response to these restrictions, further highlighting regional instability.

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Human Rights and Protests

The latest wave of Iranian protests began in late December following the collapse of the Iranian currency and rising living costs. Demonstrations quickly escalated into calls for political change, marking one of the most significant challenges to the clerical establishment since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Human rights organizations report alarming statistics:

• HRANA confirmed the deaths of 2,403 protesters, including 12 children, despite an ongoing internet blackout. Over 18,434 arrests have been reported.
• Amnesty International described the crackdown as “mass unlawful killings on an unprecedented scale”, urging UN member states to recognize these actions as crimes.

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Trump’s Position

Trump previously warned that the US could take “very strong action” against Iran if authorities executed protesters. Speaking this week, he said his administration had been informed “on good authority” that the killings are stopping and there are no planned executions. However, when asked if military action is off the table, Trump responded: “We’re going to watch and see what the process is.”

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Iran’s Warning

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi cautioned Trump not to repeat the “same mistake” as last June, referring to US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites. Iranian authorities have accused the US of attempting to “manufacture a pretext for military intervention”, with the parliament speaker warning that US and Israeli military assets in the region would become legitimate targets if attacked.

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Key Takeaways

• The US and UK are reducing personnel at Al-Udeid Air Base as a precaution against rising tensions with Iran.
• Al-Udeid is the largest US military base in the Middle East, with 10,000 personnel and 100 UK staff.
• Iranian protests have killed more than 2,400 people and led to over 18,000 arrests.
• The UK embassy in Tehran is temporarily closed; the US has advised personnel to limit non-essential travel.
• Iran has closed its airspace, and several airlines are rerouting flights.
• Trump has stated killings are stopping but did not rule out military action.
• Iran has warned the US against intervention, citing potential retaliation against military targets.