U.S. pulls staff from Saudi Arabia, moves troops from Jordan, Qatar and Kuwait

The State Department ordered non-emergency staff and families to leave Saudi Arabia, while the Pentagon quietly moved some troops from bases in Jordan, Qatar and Kuwait, NBC News reported, as Trump weighs new options on Iran.

The United States is scaling back its diplomatic and military footprint in the Middle East amid threats from Iran and its allies. The State Department ordered non-emergency government staff and their families to leave Saudi Arabia.

Reuters, citing three U.S. officials, had reported that ordered departures were being prepared for several embassies across the Gulf. State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said the order applies only to Saudi Arabia and called reports that families were also being withdrawn from the UAE, Jordan, Qatar and Bahrain inaccurate.

Aerial view of Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar

NBC News, citing two U.S. officials, reported that the Pentagon has quietly relocated some troops from bases in Jordan, Qatar and Kuwait in recent days. The moves come as military commanders present President Donald Trump with options for renewed strikes on Iran. The Pentagon said it routinely moves forces and does not discuss such movements for operational security reasons.

Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia have intensified, including a drone strike on Aramco's Shaybah oil field that killed two people. The war between Iran and the U.S. and Israel began on Feb. 28, and a ceasefire was announced in April.